Israel "butterfly" UAV. Photo: www.elderofziyon.blogspot.com.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the shape of a tiny butterfly. IAI hopes the vehicle can be used to reach remote locations and gather information. The artificial butterfly weighs only 20 grams and is capable of a vertical takeoff, just like a helicopter.

The butterfly can take color pictures and is managed remotely with a special helmet. “When you put this on you are actually inside the butterfly’s cockpit. You see what the butterfly sees. You can fly at any altitude and distance and see everything in real time,” said Dubi Binyamini, head of IAI’s mini-robotics department, according to Israel Hayom.

“The butterfly’s advantage is its ability to fly in an enclosed environment. There is no other aerial vehicle that can do that today,” he added.

Potential locations ideal for the butterfly are forests and jungles, and even closed man-made spaces like airports terminals and train stations.