Posted on 03/14/2006 9:57:34 PM PST by jmc1969
Facing problems in its efforts to train insects or build robots that can mimic their flying abilities, the U.S. military now wants to develop 'insect cyborgs' that can go where its soldiers cannot.
The Pentagon is seeking applications from researchers to help them develop technology that can be implanted into living insects to control their movement and transmit video or other sensory data back to their handlers.
As an insect metamorphoses from a larva to an adult, the solicitation notice says, its 'body goes through a renewal process that can heal wounds and reposition internal organs around foreign objects, including tiny (mechanical) structures that might be present.'
The goal is to create technology that can achieve 'the delivery of an insect within five meters of a specific target located at hundred meters away, using electronic remote control, and/or global positioning system.' Once at the target, 'the insect must remain stationary either indefinitely or until otherwise instructed ... (and) must also be able to transmit data from (Department of Defense) relevant sensors ... includ(ing) gas sensors, microphones, video, etc.'
'These activities have highlighted key challenges involving behavioral and chemical control of insects... Instinctive behaviors for feeding and mating -- and also for responding to temperature changes -- prevented them from performing reliably,' it says.
As far as the development of purely robotic or mechanical unmanned aerial vehicles -- so-called micro-UAVs -- the solicitation says that developing energy sources both powerful and light enough 'present(s) a key technical challenge.'
(Excerpt) Read more at tech.monstersandcritics.com ...
OH NO!!!!
Bug Me Not.
Yeah, but can they turn the little suckers into weapons systems?
You could really bug them with puns like that, and really drive them buggy.
I wonder what the military will feed those insects?
Beetle Juice?
I just wondered if they will assign praying mantises to the chaplains' offices?
Maybe, when the drill sergeant yells, "Line up you maggots!", he means it literally.
L O L
Bugging bugs. I wonder what they will call the new rate, a Buggerer first class?
Michael Chrichton also wrote a book entitled "Prey" wherein little insect-like robots began adapting and evolving and killing people.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall in those discussions.
As always the US Military way behind me and all my innovation.
They have probably had a version of them for several years already...:)
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