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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."

6 of 107 comments (clear)

  1. 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.

  2. 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.
  3. 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?

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    Check out my blog!
  4. 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.
  5. 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)"
  6. 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