Robots Assimilate Into Cockroach Society

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."

Comments

Wait, so...

[jcr]

They sent robots to Hollywood?

-jcr

No, not overlords

[TheMeuge]

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.

Re:No, not overlords

[turing_m]

"...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.

Re:No, not overlords

[GaryOlson]

...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?

So does that mean

[evanbd]

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?

Pied Piper anyone?

[cp.tar]

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.

Re:Pied Piper anyone?

[QuantumG]

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.

Re:Pied Piper anyone?

[timeOday]

the cockroaches will follow the robots 60% of the time.

My cat will follow a ball of yarn 90% of the time.

This...

[ale_ryu]

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

We're not interested in people.

[gv250]

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.

Big headline simple bottomline

[kyashan]

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.

Overheard underneath the stove

[StreetStealth]

(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: "..."