Before today’s post I would like to apologize for such a lengthy delay and the recent lack of blogging. A few weeks ago Florida (and much of the Caribbean) was hit by Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest storms in history. Things in my life have been a little chaotic since then. Thankfully, myself and my loved ones made it through safely. Others were not so lucky. My thoughts are with everyone that was impacted by Irma, Harvey, Maria and the recent earthquakes. It’s truly devastating and I encourage anyone who is able to make any kind of donation to please do so. There are still many people in dire need of life essentials.

Over the past decade technological advancements have reached staggering new heights. There are self driving cars, bionic limbs, robotic surgeons and drones delivering mail. Humankind is undeniably evolving in ways that would have seemed like science fiction not so long ago. Yet what we are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, what the public is shown is only a small glimpse into what technologies presently exist.

Insect drones were first brought to mainstream attention in 2007. Anti-war protestors began witnessing tiny remote controlled devices disguised as dragonflies hovering above their rallies. These Micro Air Vehicles, or MAVs, were originally created for military use in hopes of locating biological, chemical and nuclear weapons. A major focus of research personnel is to develop unmanned devices that fly into areas too dangerous for troops to infiltrate. High-ranking representatives have revealed that Leonardo da Vinci’s Flying Machine blueprints were originally used as design inspiration.

Doctor Thomas Erhard is a retired Air Force Colonel and former assistant Chief of Staff. During an interview with the Daily Telegraph the arial craft expert said that the US government can be ‘sneaky’. Not long after that statement, the United States unveiled small spy drones the size of bumble bees. In 2012 the University of Pennsylvania released their army of Nano Quadrotors. These robots are incredibly agile and capable of maneuvering through obstacles in addition to swarming in formation.

Scientists have looked towards nature as they create these machines. After all, insects have evolved over millions of years to produce the ultimate flying capabilities. Some believe that experts have used reverse engineering to create and perfect these apparatuses. America is not alone in its quest for conquering biomimicry designs. Many other countries around the world are working feverishly to produce the ultimate militia-bots due to the war advantages they would provide.

These tiny insect drones have the capacity to enter homes through open windows or by attaching themselves to the resident’s clothing. They can take photographs and even obtain DNA samples. MAVs are also equipped with microphones and tracking software. FBI director Robert Mueller testified before Congress and revealed that the bureau does in fact utilize spy drones to aid in investigations. Since technologies are evolving so rapidly, existing laws may not protect citizens from such monitoring.

Considering the level of secrecy regarding the government one has to wonder what other types of advanced mechanisms are currently possessed. Could such devices presently be implemented on a mass scale without our knowledge? Such fears are not merely speculative; in 2017 the US Department of Defense allocated a budget of nearly 4.5 billion dollars for drones. While these mechanisms might be an incredible tool for accessing remote locations and recovery missions they could be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. Take a closer look the next time you’re having an intimate conversation and a nagging bug won’t stop pestering you.

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