A research team at Hiroshima University has developed a control program to guide swarms of live "cyborg cockroaches" equipped with tiny electronic devices. This technology is being designed for practical applications, such as search-and-rescue missions in disaster areas with many obstacles.
The team attached a 5-10 gram device—containing a small computer, a wireless receiver antenna, and a battery—to the backs of Madagascar hissing cockroaches (5-7 cm in length). By sending weak electrical signals to the insects' sensory organs, researchers can control their movements. These cockroaches can move for long periods using less energy than small robots, thanks to their natural agility.
Because a single cockroach may become stuck if it falls over, the team developed a swarm-control system. They programmed only one "leader" cockroach with destination information while allowing the others to move more freely by reducing the number of electrical signals. This approach not only reduced the chances of collisions or immobilization but also led to unexpected behaviors—such as cockroaches helping each other when trapped.
The researchers aim to further develop this technology for use beyond disaster zones, including environmental monitoring and infrastructure inspections.
Viewer Comments:
Do they really need to use cockroaches?
I guess they’re a good fit since they’re tough.
Who knows, maybe they’ll join the Avengers in a few years!
Comment