1998 Photo Contest - Science & Technology - 1st prize
Photographer

George Steinmetz

National Geographic

01 January, 1997

A robotic helicopter called Cypher shows off its surveillance technique in a mock town. Guided by a mouse on a computer screen, it can locate and track people and carry a 50-pound load for up to 48km. Cypher was designed to assist ground troops on dangerous missions. Visualizing the evolution of robotics, this story was shot in locations across the US and in Osaka, Japan.

About the photographer

George Steinmetz

He is a photographer renowned for his aerial imagery and long-term documentary projects on climate, landscapes, and global food production. He pioneered the use of...

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