Innovation… Cyber beetles to the rescue (See video)

At a lab in Singapore, a researcher uses a joystick to control the movements of a giant beetle in flight. As the researcher moves his controller left and right, radio waves are sent to a wireless receiver fitted onto the beetle’s back, which activates nanowires to stimulate a small muscle in its wing.

Depending on the signal the beetle turns accordingly. From a scientific point of view, the experiment has proven a huge success. The scientists found that the muscle in question, which until now was only thought to control a beetles’ ability to fold its wings, is actually key to the insect performing precise turns.

From a practical point of a view it means that we are one step closer to remote controlled cyborg beetles that could search for survivors in disaster zones where it’s too dangerous for humans to operate.

Michele Maharbiz from the University of California Berkeley has been at the forefront of cyborg beetle research.

The researchers have made much progress over the years. They have proven they can control the beetles with stimulation to both the brain and muscles. Maharbiz thinks a combination of both techniques will probably be needed to create an ideal cyborg beetle.

And the combination could prove to be the best tool for saving lives in the wake of future natural disasters.

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