This tiny Recon Scout Throwbot could soon be helping out in the fight against maritime piracy.

The dumbbell-sized bot can be fired from a cannon in five seconds, and can survive throws of 120 feet. Then it uses its magnetic wheels to scale up a (metallic) ship's hull, before leaping on deck.

The device then breaks apart, spilling an even smaller robot out of its belly. The creators call this a "marsupial robot deployment system". The "joey" robot then rolls around, controlled by a joystick at a nearby command center, and trains its tiny, infrared camera on the deck to keep a beady eye on piracy proceedings.

Its makers at ReconRobotics just signed a development contract with the US Navy's research and development labs at SSC Pacific. Alan Bignall, CEO of ReconRobotics, reckons the 500-gram micro-robot "could help mitigate maritime piracy threats and protect the lives of naval personnel and anti-piracy teams".

Similar versions are already being used in warzones in the Middle East and in police teams across the US More than 1,300 of the bots have been deployed to officers like FBI agents, Marine Corps and Border Patrol.

He's handy because he's hardy. The little fella can roll down stairs, fly through windows or land on burning roofs without sustaining damage. He then provides a crisp and clear view of the surroundings on a camera, which is relayed up to 1,000 feet away to the controller.

Sgt Chris Kuklok, a tactical team leader who uses the device, said, "This is real time, inside information that allows your team to assess the situation and coordinate your response before you send your team through the door."

Bignall and his team will start working with the Navy to build a custom verson of the Throwbot, designed specifically to be used at sea. "We hope to collaborate with SSC Pacific to further develop this robot and quickly bring it and the marsupial robot deployment system to market."

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