Cyborg insects power their own mind-control implants

The term "cyborg bugs" might invoke images of space movies with futuristic settings way beyond our lifetimes. But in truth, cyborg insects already exist right now right here in this planet. You don't have to worry about untimely robo bug invasion, though — these cyborg insects could also be called zombie bugs. They're actually fitted with mind control devices so humans can control their movements, and even make them dance to Lady Gaga.

It's not the mad scientists who are going about making cyborgs out of insects, if you're wondering. It's organizations such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) who think cyborg insects have a lot of useful potential applications. Cyborg bugs share applications with micro-aerial vehicles (MAV). These include search-and-rescue, surveillance, detection of explosives, and environmental monitoring. Some researchers even find the robo insects to be the superior choice between the two, that they choose to abandon MAVs altogether.

But one problem with MAV technnology also applies to cyborg insect technology. As the bugs' brain control hardware requires power to run, researchers have to find a power source that can fit within the minute cyborgs. A team of researchers from the University of Michigan presents a solution to that. Instead of developing a microscopic battery, why not fit the insects with equipment that can generate energy?

The Michigan team took a cyborg Green June Beetle, and mounted piezoelectric generators on its wings. The generator harnesses energy from the flapping of the beetle's wings to power its neuro control device. After several configurations, the team came up with one that can generate 45 microwatts of energy. As that's admittedly insufficient, the team plans on implanting the generators straight into the insect's flight muscles to increase the output tenfold — enough to run the insect's mind control hardware.

If this piezoelectric generator technology ever takes off, cyborg insects might become commonplace. Let's just hope their mind control hardware won't fail — nobody wants to experience robot apocalypse, especially one of the hairy six-legged kind.


[via PopSci, PhysOrg, IOPScience]

[Image credit: Publicphoto.org]

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