Modern warfare could change forever if scientists are successful in creating a new AI chip that will be used in mini drones. Terrifyingly, it will mimic the human brain

The US Air Force could soon be using AI chips the size of a rice grain that mimic the human brain.

Scientists are developing the device that the force plans to use in mini drones, a regular sight on the modern battlefield. In its current form AI requires large amounts of energy, as do drones for propulsion, navigation, sensing and communication.

Typically, large drones can handle this by using an engine but small drones rely on battery power which limits flying time. Now all of that could be about to change with a new device that sounds like something from a futuristic sci-fi film.

LiveScience reports that the University of Texas have been awarded funding to create a tiny AI chip that mimics the human brain. This chip will have various AI features including autonomous piloting and object recognition.

The team reckon the chip will be ready in three years. They will be using a computer system that mimics the brain’s structure to allow efficient information processing.

In what sounds like something from a sci-fi researchers plan to replicate how neurons learn and make decisions, which will save energy.

If successful, this could open the floodgates to drones becoming increasingly intelligent. That could pave the way for even smaller drones to roam the skies of modern warfare.

This week, a Star Wars-style speeder bike claimed to be the first of its kind has been created by an ambitious company. Poland-based Volonaut says the Airbike can hit incredible speeds of up to 124mph.

The firm says: “This groundbreaking design shares a lot of similarities to ‘speeder bikes’ featured in popular science-fiction movies.” They claim it is the first “hoverbike” vehicle of its kind that does not use propellers to fly.

Fine technical details of the AirBike have not been revealed, with the company reporting the vehicle has “just come out of stealth mode development” by Polish inventor and Volonaut founder Tomasz Patan.

However, describing it as a “superbike for the skies”, Volonaut say the AirBike is powered by jet propulsion, with a proprietary stabilisation system enhanced by a flight computer to provide automatic hover and ease of control for its rider.

The company add: “The current version of the vehicle is a result of many months of hard work, solved challenges and multiple failures.”

It took the founder several iterations to get to a working and flightworthy design on which he attempted the first stable flight in May 2023 in Poland.” No timeline for a production model or cost have been released yet.

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