 
What you are looking at is a cockroach that has been surgically implanted with a micro-robotic backpack that allows scientists to control its movements. The research team at Tokyo University in Japan that is working on this project hopes to develop a squadron of electronically controlled insects that could be used for a variety of missions.Some possibilities ... cockroaches equipped with mini-cameras, crawling through rubble looking for earthquake victims, or slipping into hotel rooms that are under surveillance. The researchers use the american cockroach, which is bigger and stronger than most other varieties. Each roach has its wings removed, and is fitted with a tiny 'backpack' ... a microprocessor and a set of electrodes. The roach's antennae are removed, and the electrodes are attached in their place. Researchers can use them to stimulate the roach with tiny electrical signals. The electric pulses sent to the cockroach make it turn left or right, or move forwards or backwards. The roach's movements can then be controlled remotely. The backpack weighs only a tenth of an ounce, or about twice the weight of the roach. But cockroaches are very strong ... they can lift twenty times their own weight. Several problems have been encountered so far. There is a difficulty in locating the electrodes properly, which results in erratic movement. Also, the cockroaches become desensitized to the electronic pulses after a while, and stop responding. |