Sci/Tech Researchers take full control of cockroach's movement, turn it into a wireless sensor

[tom_mai78101]

Built-in power supply? Check. Ability to survive anything? Check. Easy to control? Okay, anyone who's had a cockroach as an uninvited houseguest knows that's not the case.

So, rather than re-inventing the biological wheel with a robotic version, North Carolina State university researchers have figured out a way to remotely control a real Madagascar hissing cockroach. They used an off-the-shelf microcontroller to tap in to the roach's antennae and abdomen, then sent commands that fooled the insect into thinking danger was near, or that an object was blocking it.

That let the scientists wirelessly prod the insect into action, then guide it precisely along a curved path, as shown in the video below the break. The addition of a sensor could allow the insects to one day perform tasks, liking searching for trapped disaster victims -- something to think about the next time you put a shoe to one.

Researchers take full control of cockroach's movement, turn it into a wireless sensor

Built-in power supply? Check. Ability to survive anything? Check. Easy to control? Okay, anyone who's had a cockroach as an uninvited houseguest knows that's not the case. So, rather than re-inventing the biological wheel with a robotic version, North Carolina State university researchers have...

www.engadget.com

 

[FireCat]

Now that's Just fucked up! Nuff said!

 

[darkRae]

Remote-controlled suicide squads that are hard to detect and can move through tiny holes? New breed of weapon.

 

[WildTurkey]

shit yeah! We just did that!

 

[KaerfNomekop]

Now we're one step closer to biological terrorism.

 

[Prometheus]

So glad we got a handle on these roaches before the become the alpha race in a post-nuclear world.

 

[iPeez]

Now that's Just fucked up! Nuff said!

This.

 

[camelCase]

Now that's Just fucked up awesome! Nuff said!

This.

 

[FireCat]

↑

 

[Fatmankev]

Neat. What else can we do this to?

 

[tom_mai78101]

Create a real-life Starcraft: Brood War with other Zerg teams.

 

[PurgeandFire]

^lol

Pretty cool stuff.

 

[Varine]

I don't see how it would be used as a weapon. Are cockroaches explosive? Could we use Chinese ones?

 

[Accname]

How about a controlled cockroach stampede?

 

[tom_mai78101]

How about a controlled cockroach stampede?

That's more like "War of the Worlds"-esque type situation.

 

[Accname]

Can they make the cockroach attack people and eat their skin?
Imagine a thousand cockroaches sent out at you to eat you alive.

 

[darkRae]

I don't see how it would be used as a weapon. Are cockroaches explosive? Could we use Chinese ones?

Cockroaches aren't explosive. I could imagine someone putting some explosives in them, and then control them to invade a building through tiny holes or pipes or something like that.

Or maybe we could install voice recorder for more spying power. Cockroaches can go through places human can't. The possibilities are many....

 

[FireCat]

Imagine a thousand cockroaches sent out at you to eat you alive.

Well, they will get free meals

 

[Varine]

Cockroaches aren't explosive. I could imagine someone putting some explosives in them, and then control them to invade a building through tiny holes or pipes or something like that.

Or maybe we could install voice recorder for more spying power. Cockroaches can go through places human can't. The possibilities are many....

Yeah I don't think the little amount of C4 they can carry will do much.

 

[The Helper]

This might be old news but hell if it is not some cool shit!