Creating cyborg cockroaches

10 Sep 2012, 1:00 pm   -   Source: The Conversation
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The Conversation

The scientists aim to create a mobile web of smart sensors that could be used to find survivors of natural and manmade disasters. (AAP)

The scientists aim to create a mobile web of smart sensors that could be used to find survivors of natural and manmade disasters. (AAP)

Science fiction is rapidly becoming reality - a new electronic interface allows researchers to remotely control cockroaches.

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North Carolina State University

An new electronic interface allows researchers to remotely control cockroaches.

Scientists have embedded electrodes into a cockroach’s antennae and ganglia (neuron cluster), a lightweight chip with a wireless receiver on to it’s back and microcontrollers to verify the delicate link between tissue and electrodes.

Pulses of 3-volts DC are then applied to the antennae making the cockroach believe a predator is approaching. This causes the cockroach to move away accordingly. Using this biological interface, the researchers have steered the cockroach along a curved line.

The scientists aim to create a mobile web of smart sensors that could be used to find survivors of natural and manmade disasters.

The Conversation

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