Researchers working on 'Attila', a robot insect under development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. The Mobile Robot laboratory at MIT has produced several such robots during nanotechnology and micromechanics research. All of them perform very simple tasks, the result of so-called 'artificial stupidity'. Attila is able to move across quite rough terrain by itself, negotiating small obstacles using its own logic. It is 30cm in length, weighs 1.6kg, and has 23 motors and 150 sensors including a video camera. Future robot insects may be used in industry to make checks and on-the-spot repairs inside otherwise inaccessible machinery.