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Scientists Create #Cyborg_Cockroaches Controlled by #Solar_Powered #Backpacks

The cockroaches might be used in #search and #rescue missions or for environmental monitoring in the future.

In a series of experiments, the team demonstrated how the system could steer the roach right, as desired, via a #wireless system. You can see that above.

And, for now, that's as far as they've got.

"The current system only has a wireless locomotion control system, so it's not enough to prepare an application such as urban rescue," said Kenjiro Fukuda, an expert in flexible electronics at Japan's Riken. "By integrating other required devices such as sensors and cameras, we can use our cyborg insects for such purposes."

Fukuda notes cameras would likely require a lot more power, but there are sensors that use little power that could be integrated into the system today. If cameras were able to be used, they would likely be very low resolution.

Notably, because of the design of the ultrathin solar cell, Fukuda notes it could be applied to other insects -- potentially even creating a flying army of robot insects controlled by human hands. Beetles and cicadas are potential candidates.

Insect robots are having a bit of a moment. In July, researchers at Rice University unveiled their spider "necrobots" -- insect-machine hybrids they used to create the world's creepiest claw machine.

But those spiders were dead. The roaches aren't.

I must admit that when I saw the images of the roboroaches crawling in a certain direction, I felt a weird pang of... guilt. Or something like it, perhaps. I wondered if there was any sort of understanding by the creepy crawlers that their legs are being steered against their own will and whether this process was painful. Fortunately, "according to research related to insects, cockroaches do not experience pain," said Fukuda. Phew.

However, there has been some research in recent years looking at how insects might experience emotive states and discussion about the ethical implications of such research. A recent piece in Undark magazine wrestled with the question of insect pain, too, noting there's still a lack of understanding about insect consciousness.

First published on Sept. 5, 2022 at 2:00 a.m. PT.