We have seen insect robots here before such as the Cockroach Robot, that thing makes me shiver just looking at it. In this example a Moth Brain Controlling a Robot.
Via: BotJunkie
"The team found that the moth can steer the car and quickly adapt to changes in the way the vehicle operates — for example by introducing a steering bias to the left or right similar to the effect of a flat tyre. In another, more advanced, test, the team severed a moth’s head and mounted it onto the front of a similar vehicle. They then directed similar odour stimuli to the contraption which the insect’s still-functioning antennae and brain picked up."
Permalink
I know that technology improvements are good, but… could these scientifics test with their brains? It’s a great advance, but cruel at same time.
Permalink
No scientists were hurt while conducting this experiment.
All moths were volunteers and suffered of a terminal disease. Their contribution to science will never be forgotten.
next step: Robots controlled by kitten brains.
Permalink
I always find it amusing when people go ‘That’s cruel’ when its a fricken moth or, better yet, maggots in the experiment. They barely have enough brainpower to function, let alone get all metaphysical with ‘pain and pleasure’
Permalink
I’m always a little skeptical of how well the animal brain robots work. I’ve seen a few videos and they always seem to move really randomly so it’s hard to know if they really have much control over it or if it’s just random signals from the brain. In fairness I guess most of these animals/insects move in random patterns anyway. In this case they were talking about attracting it with scent, I would have thought light would be better for the moth.
Permalink
Yes! Self driving cars here we come!
Permalink
Can I get one of these installed in my wife? Would be a step up.
Permalink
I, for one, welcome our new robomoth overlords.
Permalink
@Fabio, haha very funny. Not. I’d love to see the look on your face when we tell you that your dog (or whatever pet) would be next.
Permalink
I used to wonder at the imagination of aliens traveling thousands of light years to earth only to stick up probes up humans “as*”.
Now that I see what WE do to insects, it doesn’t wonder me anymore…..
Permalink
Permalink
@The voice in your head: That has left me in stitches for the whole day now!
Permalink
only problem is that it keeps crashing into the desk lamp…
Permalink
LOL @ JohnD