The British military has launched the world’s smallest military-grade surveillance drone for troops in Afghanistan. Part of a $31-million contract, the toy-sized Black Hornet, at just four inches and 16 grams, is said to be a major step in a trend toward ever-smaller and sleeker drones. Not fewer, safer, with more benign humane uses, like drones dropping food for kids. Just smaller.

Update: Citing privacy and legality issues, Charlottesville, Va. has become the first city in the U.S to pass an anti-drone resolution, banning any devices designed to "harm, incapacitate or otherwise negatively impact a human being." Very cool.