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Robots Assimilate Into Cockroach Society

Posted by Zonk on from the good-to-see-the-robots-making-new-friends dept.

sufijazz writes "Scientists have gotten tiny robots to not only integrate into cockroach society but also control it. 'This experiment in bug peer pressure combined entomology, robotics and the study of ways that complex and even intelligent patterns can arise from simple behavior. Animal behavior research shows that swarms working together can prosper where individuals might fail, and robotics researchers have been experimenting with simple robots that, together, act a little like a swarm.' The BBC also has a video story on this."

19 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. Wait, so... by jcr · · Score: 4, Funny

    They sent robots to Hollywood?

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  2. Hey!! We are *NOT* a cockroach society! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I resent that you characterize our society as "cockroach". Geez, just because the robots were able to assimilate and blend in --I mean, it really did look exactly like Cindy Margolis-- how were we supposed to know that she was a robot!

    And besides, the article says ... actually, I haven't read the article yet ... hang on, let me read this ... oh, umm ...

    Er, never mind.

  3. No, not overlords by TheMeuge · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I am not going to go to the obligatory "robotic overlords" reference, except to note that in human society, a determined and united groups of individuals have caused masses of people to perform actions that contradict their instincts, common sense, or any boundaries and taboos set by their parent societies.

    One conclusion one can draw from this study, coupled with historical precedent in human societies, is that animals come evolutionary pre-programmed to join groups and be subjugated by the rules of said groups, despite better (or alternate) judgment.

    1. Re:No, not overlords by turing_m · · Score: 4, Interesting

      "...is that animals come evolutionary pre-programmed to join groups"

      Depends on the animal. In social animals, yes. In others (e.g. tigers, bears, moose, spiders), communication will be restricted to mating rituals and that sort of thing. Those methods of communication can of course be mimicked and often are by other species (or sub-species) for their own gain. e.g. orchids and insect mating behavior, moths with "eyes" on their wings etc.

      --
      If I have seen further it is by stealing the Intellectual Property of giants.
    2. Re:No, not overlords by GaryOlson · · Score: 4, Funny

      ...united groups of individuals have caused masses of people to perform actions that contradict their instincts, common sense...
      Why did I think of the user interface for Microsoft Office 2003 when I read that?
      --
      Every mans' island needs an ocean; choose your ocean carefully.
    3. Re:No, not overlords by Kingrames · · Score: 3, Funny

      "I am not going to go to the obligatory "robotic overlords" reference"
      Good! I'm sick of that meme.

      I, for one, welcome our new non-obligatory overlord referencing overlords. ...shit.

      --
      If you can read this, I forgot to post anonymously.
  4. So does that mean by evanbd · · Score: 4, Funny

    That when the humans and the robots destroy each other in a nuclear war, it will be up to the cockroaches to continue the battle against the robot cockroaches?

  5. Pied Piper anyone? by cp.tar · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I wonder, if robots can actually control swarms, could we perhaps make them lead the swarms not to world domination, but to some sort of... mishap?

    There's gotta be some way to get rid of them.

    --
    Ignore this signature. By order.
    1. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by QuantumG · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Yes, that's what the research showed.. the cockroaches will follow the robots 60% of the time. RTFA.

      More interesting, I thought, was that the researchers seemed pissed off when the journalists asked the kind of "how would you apply this?" questions that you just asked.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    2. Re:Pied Piper anyone? by timeOday · · Score: 4, Funny

      the cockroaches will follow the robots 60% of the time.
      My cat will follow a ball of yarn 90% of the time.
  6. This... by ale_ryu · · Score: 5, Funny

    May be the only case in which the phrase "it's not a bug, it's a feature!" is not applicable... or is it?

    --
    Check out my blog!
  7. We're not interested in people. by gv250 · · Score: 5, Funny
    From TFA:

    The results also apply only to cockroaches, Dr. Halloy said. "We are not interested in people," he said.
    He programmed his robot to play with his cockroaches, and he is not interested in people. Sounds like a /. reader to me.
  8. Cocked Roaches and Buggery!? by davidsyes · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, will they command it to bugger the bugs they bugged? I guess it will bug the shit out of them... real buggery-like...

    Sounds kinda... insectstuous....

    Watch out for mating season. This is the REAL widow-maker. Exoskeleton-crushing sex....from a real sex-bot... I wonder how endowed this bugger is...

    --
    Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
  9. Squishing roaches by CustomDesigned · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do they still qualify as Overlords if I can squish them under my foot like their cockroach cousins? You can squish *lots* of them, but not all of their teeming millions before they eat you alive.
  10. So... by Kjella · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...does this mean that the robots have passed the Turing test for cockroaches? I guess probably not yet, but if we can create robots that can act like the real thing - well that's pretty much the definition of it isn't it?

    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
  11. Big headline simple bottomline by kyashan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mentioning robots evokes AI, but the key is that those carts are doused with cockroach sex hormones.
    Show me a girl with a miniskirt and over knee stockings and I'll follow her not 60% but 100% of the times.

    --
    "La presi e te la pagai (480.000 Lire)"
  12. Re:Let's get this out of the way. by Dusty101 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If we can now, indirectly control them, shouldn't read:

    "I, for one, welcome our new insect minions"?

  13. I Am Cockroach of Borg... by morari · · Score: 3, Funny

    Lower your exoskeletons and surrender your motels. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.

    --
    "He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." --Paul Atreides, Dune
  14. Overheard underneath the stove by StreetStealth · · Score: 5, Funny

    (translated from pheromone language)

    Cockroach A: "I have this theory. About our new leader."

    Cockroach B: "This had better not be another one of your retarded colony conspiracies."

    Cockroach A: "Well... I don't think he's cockroach. In fact, I have reason to believe he's a robot. Put here by highly intelligent beings for some bizarre purpose... Maybe to lead us all to destruction. Maybe as a test. I don't know. But have you seen him? I mean, with your own compound eyes?"

    Cockroach B: "..."

    --
    Your mind is clear / The things that you fear / Will fade with how much you / Believe what you hear