A team of Japanese researchers at Chiba University outside of Tokyo, have developed a "hummingbird robot" that flutters freely with the use of an infrared remote control.
The new invention is designed to collect information in emergency situations.
Weighing in at 2.6 grams, the tiny robot has everything it needs to fly a super light micro motor, a battery, infrared ray receiver, carbon fibre frames and gears.
The milky membranes used for its four wings are low in cost, - as researchers turned to plastic shopping bags.