We already know that helicopters were inspired by creatures such as humming birds and dragonflies. Now scientists have designed a miniature version equipped with a simple visual sensor and electronic brain the size of an insect.  They feel this may allow it better take-offs, flights, and landings.

“It’s extraordinary to see flies navigate with just their small 10-milligram brains,” said researcher Nicolas Franceschini, a neurophysiologist and engineer at NCSR (France’s National Center for Scientific Research.) We think we will just keep letting them test this one before we trust anything with a brain that small.