Researchers Remote Control Flying Beetles Via Electrodes(cyborg beetle recon)

Switched ^ | 09/27/09 | Terrence O'Brien

[TigerLikesRooster]

Computers

Researchers Remote Control Flying Beetles Via Electrodes

by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Sep 27th 2009 at 3:01PM

The military and researchers across the country have been working on putting tiny bots in the air for quite some time. They've talked robotic spy-bats, dreamed up cyborg crickets, dragonflies, and all matter of other bug-sized bots. In fact, they've successfully implanted electrodes into the brains of crickets, moths, and beetles to exercise some control over their movements -- they even got a beetle to briefly take flight. But until now, the amount of control over motions has been very limited.

Researchers at the University of California Berkeley have succeeded in implanting electrodes into a beetle to remotely control its flight (video after the break). These mini electronics allow untethered control in free flight, something unachieved before now. In a paper published in the Frontiers in Neuroscience Journal, the researchers write that the zombie-controlled bugs could be "couriers to locations not easily accessible to humans or terrestrial robots."

By sending electrical impulses through the implants the scientists are able to control the flapping of the beetle's wings. Sending a stronger signal the muscles on the left sends the bug careening to the left, and stimulating the muscles on the right steers it in that direction.

The degree of manipulation is impressive, and rather than waste another word trying to explain this incredible achievement, just watch the video below. Once you've picked your jaw up off the floor, watch it again.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Link to the Wired article(w/ demo video) on the same subject:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/09/video-cyborg-beetle-takes-flight/

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[HiTech RedNeck]

I wonder how far they can muster a swarm of these to go. The control receiver obviously can’t be very big.

[Smokin' Joe]

I wonder how far they can muster a swarm of these to go

What's next, killer bees?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Kamikaze bees.:-)

[Alex Murphy]

Researchers at the University of California Berkeley have succeeded in implanting electrodes into a beetle to remotely control its flight (video after the break). These mini electronics allow untethered control in free flight, something unachieved before now. In a paper published in the Frontiers in Neuroscience Journal, the researchers write that the zombie-controlled bugs could be "couriers to locations not easily accessible to humans or terrestrial robots."

I'm pretty sure I saw something like this on Eureka a couple of weeks ago....

[DB]

Pretty cool.

I can see this leading to something actually useful.

[dr_lew]

I see nothing “cyborg” about this. According to the notations in the video, they are bypassing cybernetics altogether by stimulating the flight muscles directly. To me, this looks like a dead end.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Actually I now see paparazzi with a joystick, maneuvering his remote-controlled beetle w/ micro-cam and microphone into Paris Hilton's bed room, while her boyfriend is busy swatting any insect approaching them.:-)

[TigerLikesRooster]

Strictly speaking, you are right.

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[ThomasThomas]

These don't seem like there easy to hide.

[ShadowAce]

[tubebender]

What's next, killer bees?

Your next if O'bozo Care passes and will become mandatory with any surgery so they can Zap you after you exceed your medical allotment...

[Grampa Dave]

Fear of 0b0z0 taking over our health care system is why I have been on a rebuilding Grampa Dave project: Removal of 2 cataracts and knee surgery.

[SouthTexas]

Right turn Clyde!

[TruthConquers]

Is it a hunter-seeker?

[marvlus]

I can see this leading to something actually useful.

In the wrong hands, it could also lead to something very horrible.

[DB]

Like most technology.