UC Berkeley Controls Live Beetle by Remote Control
January 31, 2009 · Print This Article
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have succeeded in controlling a live rhinoceros beetle by radio, controlling the movement of its wings and some other parts using signals sent to six electrodes on the beetle’s brain and muscles. The beetle was equipped “with a module incorporating a circuit to send signals to the electrodes, wireless circuit, microcontroller and battery.”
It’s difficult to imagine why researchers would need a remote controlled beetle, but Green Packs has their suspicions.
A rhinoceros beetles can carry a weight of up to 3g and fly carrying the module which weighs about 1.3g on their backs. Among other reasons, the researchers say the beetle “looks cool.”
But why? – For military surveillance?
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the US funds the research making the experiment something intended for military purposes.
The university says that the technology can be utilized for peaceful purposes as well. Haven’t we heard this kind of argument before?
Radio-controlled beetles can be useful in places that are too narrow or dangerous for a human to enter. That makes sense. But what’s a beetle going to do there? Pirates used to send their parrots in to undesirable places, too.
Rhinoceros beetles can work as surveillance robots in place of humans.
Whoa, whoa, whoa – beetles that can spy on us? Beetles that can be controlled to follow us around, watch our movements and send data on us back to the military? Now this goes way beyond creepy. What are they really trying to accomplish with this?
And, those poor beetles, forced to give up control of their own bodies. Eek. Now I’m going to be paranoid any time I see a rhinoceros beetle.
Link [Green Packs]
Photo credit: Green Packs + OAS.org
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Interesting information, I found this fun to read and feel it is very probable for the future, hope I don’t meet on though. I wonder how much they cost to set up?