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Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the University of California (UC) Berkeley have jointly developed a drone of the truest sense — a remote-controlled living beetle.
Their device is a tiny electronic backpack mounted on top of a giant flower beetle with a built-in wireless receiver and transmitter that converts radio signals received remotely into a variety of actions performed by the beetle.
In other words, the scientists have effectively hacked into the brain of the bug and enslaved it into going anywhere they want.
Unlike unmanned aerial vehicles and other flying robots, the insect is able to maintain flight stability on its own, and will not need constant human control. Human intervention is only needed to change the drone's direction.
“This technology could prove to be an improved alternative to remote-controlled drones as it could go into areas which are not accessible before," says Prof Sato, the lead author of the study."For example, it could be used in search-and-rescue missions as it could go into small nooks and crevices in a collapsed building to locate injured survivors."
For those worried if wires, chips and antennas had to be surgically installed in the beetle, fear not.
The microchip backpack is strapped onto the beetle using organic beeswax — harmless to the carapace and can be easily removed.
The signals received influence the insect to take off, turn left or right, or even hover. Despite the high-tech concept, the backpack costs less than $10, can easily be built with off-the-shelf components, and can last for am entire day on a 3.9 volt micro lithium battery.
When detached from the beetle, it continues through normal life and fulfill its regular lifespan. We can only hope that these cyborg beetles won't rise up against the human race anytime soon.
Photo: NTU newsroom
Got a tip? Send it to us at singapore@coconuts.co.
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the University of California (UC) Berkeley have jointly developed a drone of the truest sense — a remote-controlled living beetle.
Their device is a tiny electronic backpack mounted on top of a giant flower beetle with a built-in wireless receiver and transmitter that converts radio signals received remotely into a variety of actions performed by the beetle.
In other words, the scientists have effectively hacked into the brain of the bug and enslaved it into going anywhere they want.
Unlike unmanned aerial vehicles and other flying robots, the insect is able to maintain flight stability on its own, and will not need constant human control. Human intervention is only needed to change the drone's direction.
“This technology could prove to be an improved alternative to remote-controlled drones as it could go into areas which are not accessible before," says Prof Sato, the lead author of the study."For example, it could be used in search-and-rescue missions as it could go into small nooks and crevices in a collapsed building to locate injured survivors."
For those worried if wires, chips and antennas had to be surgically installed in the beetle, fear not.
The microchip backpack is strapped onto the beetle using organic beeswax — harmless to the carapace and can be easily removed.
The signals received influence the insect to take off, turn left or right, or even hover. Despite the high-tech concept, the backpack costs less than $10, can easily be built with off-the-shelf components, and can last for am entire day on a 3.9 volt micro lithium battery.
When detached from the beetle, it continues through normal life and fulfill its regular lifespan. We can only hope that these cyborg beetles won't rise up against the human race anytime soon.
Photo: NTU newsroom