by With remote-controlled “cyborg beetles” could be used to discover the people trapped in collapsed buildings or mines, as research show.
Australian scientists have equipped Darkling insects with removable backpacks that could be controlled with a video game remote control.
The researcher of the University of Queensland, Dr. Thang Vo-Doan, who headed the study, said the backpacks had checked the antenna of the insect and the curtains by using electrodes.
“Beetle have many natural gifts that make you the master of climbing and maneuvering in small, complex rooms such as dense rubble that are difficult to navigate for robots” Scimex.
“Our work uses these gifts and adds programmable controls that enable precise direction instructions without influencing the beetle’s lifespan.”
The research assistant Lachlan Fitzgerald added that the insects could be managed to move from side to side and absorb vertical walls.
“While robots have made progress in this size, the transition from horizontal surfaces to walls remains a huge challenge for you,” said Fitzgerald.
He said that the “demanding detection functions” and “soft environmental interactions”, which would not have a synthetic mistake, are perfect for disaster environments.
Dr. Vo-Doan said, while a connection penalty had been used for the climbing test, the beetles also demonstrated the ability to climb with a battery that corresponds to its own body weight.
“If people are caught under an extensive amount of ruins, they want to find them and plan them as soon as possible,” said Dr. Vo-doan.
“We hope to produce a tool that can easily move through chaotic environments in order to determine the exact location of a person, provide information on all injuries and give the rescuer an idea of what needs to be done to free them.”
In 2016, Singapore scientists were able to control deer beetles by attaching a similar device to the back of the insect.
At the time, Professor Hirotaka Sato, who worked on both projects, said: “This technology could prove to be an improved alternative to remote -controlled drones because it could go into areas that were not previously accessible.”
“For example, it could be used in search and rescue missions, as it could go into small corners and columns in a collapsed building to locate injured survivors.”
