The Army’s Remote-Controlled Beetle
Posted on: January 31, 2009
The insect’s flight path can be wirelessly controlled via a neural implant.
A giant flower beetle with implanted electrodes and a radio receiver on its back can be wirelessly controlled, according to research presented this week. Scientists at the University of California developed a tiny rig that receives control signals from a nearby computer. Electrical signals delivered via the electrodes command the insect to take off, turn left or right, or hover in midflight. The research, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), could one day be used for surveillance purposes or for search-and-rescue missions.
>>>>> Article in MIT Technology Review
- Cyborg beetle: Shown here is a giant flower beetle carrying a microprcessor, radio receiver, and microbattery and implanted with several electrodes. To control the insect’s flight, scientists wirelessly deliver signals to the payload, which sends electrical signals through the electrode to the brain and flight muscles. Credit: Michel Maharbiz
4 Responses to "The Army’s Remote-Controlled Beetle"
March 21, 2009 at 5:07 pm
It seems your second paragraph seems to leaks a bit to your first 
Useful::
I can imagine that using a beetle (which can carry quite a load) to spy (add camera) would be useful to the army
New::
There are a few similar projects going on at the moment. But I think this one is one of the most successful.
Impressive::
Ah well, that is personal.
February 23, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Insects are one thing but mammals are next. Think about having a herd of elephants under robot control. It’s like dino-riders or Avatar.
February 9, 2009 at 9:54 pm
nice to see the army is still wasting my tax dollars on more useless lame crap. not to mention electronic manipulation of nerves and muscles is neither new or impressive.
it’s odd that they would debut such a cruel project. can’t help but wonder what sort of unethical, bizarre crap they keep secret.
way to be all you can be, army.
November 19, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I think this is extremely cruel. Its facinating stuff but to what use?