RoboBees! Harvard to Create Robotic Bees
The National Science Foundation has awarded $10 million to Harvard researchers to create a coordinated colony of robotic bees, a project they're calling Robobees. While they won't be stinging anyone or making honey just yet, the aim of the project is to research and develop technology for "body, brain, and colony." Meaning miniature robotics, aeromechanical design, compact high-energy sources, sensors and electronic "nervous systems" that can react to its environments, communication methods, and individual AI and collective hive mentality.
Applications of this kind of technology are pretty endless. And while it's not a stated goal, it's good to know that just in case Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder totally decimates the bee population, robots might be able to step in and pollinate our crops.
Update: Here's a news report on the robotic bees: