Cute or Dangerous? Watch Out for Russia’s Remote-Controlled Spying Robot Rock

Russian Air Force Academy cadets have reportedly developed a previously top secret new spy gadget for the Russian military. Forget drones, robot dogs or space gear. This new spy is a rock. Well, a robot rock to be precise.

This small robot rock is designed to hide in plain sight as it conducts its clandestine recon.

According to Jalopnik, “The small, remote-controlled creation has tank-like tracks, a cunning camouflage design and a host of cutting-edge surveillance tech.”

Video of the tiny, camouflaged spy rock shows it navigating grassy terrain on caterpillar wheels with a mini camera sticking out of its top.

The Moscow Times says the robot was created by Russian cadets “for positional warfare in conditions of sniper coverage.”

Jalopnik adds:

Packed with the latest technologic, the remote-control pebble has a motion sensor that, when triggered, will start up the added built-in cameras and microphones to snoop on your enemy's secrets. The device also has a camouflage and rugged exterior, so there's less chance of a short circuit if the robot's internals get wet or damaged.

The pocket-sized robot also has a 24-hour passive battery life and comes with the ability to collect, process and transmit information for up to 15 hours. So at least this cutesy little robot can go a long time without being turned on / off.

Despite the surveillance tech being triggered by motion sensors, the robot does need to be controlled by a human after all. The controller is able to steer the robot into the best snooping positions around the world, as long as they are within 2 km (1.24 miles) of the device.

This covert little robotic device is easy to poke fun at. But if it's just the first iteration of this rock-like robot, you can be sure that the next generation of this innovative snooping device will be much harder, better, faster, stronger.