element14 Community
element14 Community
    Register Log In
  • Site
  • Search
  • Log In Register
  • Community Hub
    Community Hub
    • What's New on element14
    • Feedback and Support
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Personal Blogs
    • Members Area
    • Achievement Levels
  • Learn
    Learn
    • Ask an Expert
    • eBooks
    • element14 presents
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Spotlight
    • STEM Academy
    • Webinars, Training and Events
    • Learning Groups
  • Technologies
    Technologies
    • 3D Printing
    • FPGA
    • Industrial Automation
    • Internet of Things
    • Power & Energy
    • Sensors
    • Technology Groups
  • Challenges & Projects
    Challenges & Projects
    • Design Challenges
    • element14 presents Projects
    • Project14
    • Arduino Projects
    • Raspberry Pi Projects
    • Project Groups
  • Products
    Products
    • Arduino
    • Avnet Boards Community
    • Dev Tools
    • Manufacturers
    • Multicomp Pro
    • Product Groups
    • Raspberry Pi
    • RoadTests & Reviews
  • Store
    Store
    • Visit Your Store
    • Choose another store...
      • Europe
      •  Austria (German)
      •  Belgium (Dutch, French)
      •  Bulgaria (Bulgarian)
      •  Czech Republic (Czech)
      •  Denmark (Danish)
      •  Estonia (Estonian)
      •  Finland (Finnish)
      •  France (French)
      •  Germany (German)
      •  Hungary (Hungarian)
      •  Ireland
      •  Israel
      •  Italy (Italian)
      •  Latvia (Latvian)
      •  
      •  Lithuania (Lithuanian)
      •  Netherlands (Dutch)
      •  Norway (Norwegian)
      •  Poland (Polish)
      •  Portugal (Portuguese)
      •  Romania (Romanian)
      •  Russia (Russian)
      •  Slovakia (Slovak)
      •  Slovenia (Slovenian)
      •  Spain (Spanish)
      •  Sweden (Swedish)
      •  Switzerland(German, French)
      •  Turkey (Turkish)
      •  United Kingdom
      • Asia Pacific
      •  Australia
      •  China
      •  Hong Kong
      •  India
      •  Korea (Korean)
      •  Malaysia
      •  New Zealand
      •  Philippines
      •  Singapore
      •  Taiwan
      •  Thailand (Thai)
      • Americas
      •  Brazil (Portuguese)
      •  Canada
      •  Mexico (Spanish)
      •  United States
      Can't find the country/region you're looking for? Visit our export site or find a local distributor.
  • Translate
  • Profile
  • Settings
Sensors
  • Technologies
  • More
Sensors
Blog Robo-bug: a rechargeable, remote-controllable cyborg cockroach
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • Documents
  • Quiz
  • Events
  • Polls
  • Members
  • Mentions
  • Sub-Groups
  • Tags
  • More
  • Cancel
  • New
Join Sensors to participate - click to join for free!
  • Share
  • More
  • Cancel
Group Actions
  • Group RSS
  • More
  • Cancel
Engagement
  • Author Author: Catwell
  • Date Created: 12 Sep 2022 6:21 PM Date Created
  • Views 6846 views
  • Likes 5 likes
  • Comments 1 comment
  • cyborg
  • cabeatwell
  • university
  • animals in testing
  • sensor
Related
Recommended

Robo-bug: a rechargeable, remote-controllable cyborg cockroach

Catwell
Catwell
12 Sep 2022

image

Scientists have developed a way to control insects using solar powered backpacks. This can change the way we inspect the environment forever. This little guy and his backpack can tell us everything we want to know. (Photo via Nature)

Just when you thought cockroaches were only good for… well, nothing, a special team of scientists have made them into our ticket for environmental exploration. Scientists have developed a way to make little cyborg insects by attaching a minuscule solar-powered battery to none other than our 6-legged friend, the cockroach. Why on earth would someone want to create tiny robots out of one of the most hated and feared insects on our planet, you may ask? Because these guys are just small enough and indestructible enough to get the job done. 

We have all heard the old adage that the only thing to survive the apocalypse will be cockroaches, and this strength makes them the perfect candidate for environmental exploration. Scientists plan on using these small cyborgs to scope out any hazardous and dangerous environments that we cannot get to and to learn more about areas we have yet to explore. 

This isn't the first time scientists have combined technology and animals. For the past few years, robotic technology has been used to create realistic, mechanical animals to learn more about the environment. These include, but are not limited to, bees, falcons, and different types of fish. This has been primarily used to learn how animals themselves interact with the environment, but with the cyborg cockroach, we can learn about much more. 

What makes this little guy different is that he is 100% a real insect, fitted with a small battery pack to help scientists control his movements and directions.  To make this work, scientists have to make sure that they can control the bugs for long enough that they can get the information they need. This solar paneled battery pack on a cockroach is a first of its kind and allows for the cockroaches to move naturally, fix themselves upright if they get flipped around, and accommodate their abdominal changes over time, all while allowing the scientist to have complete control for long stretches of time. 

Although the idea of a walking cyborg cockroach sounds like something out of a B-movie horror flick, the reality is actually quite stunning and wondrous. The possibilities of environmental research that can come out of this are astounding when thought about. We just may have to be extra careful where we step in the meantime! 

This all boarders on animal use in testing that just doesn't site right with me. See my comic about this after the jump.

Let me know how you feel about these insects being used like this, in the comments below.

Have a story tip? Message me at: http://twitter.com/Cabe_Atwell

  • Sign in to reply
  • RusselJay
    RusselJay over 2 years ago

    Can I have one of this prototype?

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • More
    • Cancel
element14 Community

element14 is the first online community specifically for engineers. Connect with your peers and get expert answers to your questions.

  • Members
  • Learn
  • Technologies
  • Challenges & Projects
  • Products
  • Store
  • About Us
  • Feedback & Support
  • FAQs
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal and Copyright Notices
  • Sitemap
  • Cookies

An Avnet Company © 2025 Premier Farnell Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Premier Farnell Ltd, registered in England and Wales (no 00876412), registered office: Farnell House, Forge Lane, Leeds LS12 2NE.

ICP 备案号 10220084.

Follow element14

  • X
  • Facebook
  • linkedin
  • YouTube