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Tiny Insect Cyborgs Could Act As First Responders

Posted by samzenpus on from the electric-ant dept.

Zothecula writes "Insects have served as the inspiration for a number of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) that could be deployed to monitor hazardous situations without putting humans in harm's way. Now researchers at the University of Michigan College of Engineering are proposing using actual live insects enhanced with electronic sensors to achieve the same result. The insect cyborgs would use biological energy harvested from their body heat or movements to potentially power small sensors implanted on their bodies in order to gather vital information from hazardous environments."

25 comments

  1. BUT, BUT IMAGINE ALL THE BUGS !! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Got bugs ??

    1. Re:BUT, BUT IMAGINE ALL THE BUGS !! by Reasonable+Facsimile · · Score: 1

      Gives new meaning to the phrase, "I've got crabs."

  2. I for one, by iCEBaLM · · Score: 3, Funny

    Welcome our new Insect Cyborg overlords

    1. Re:I for one, by queBurro · · Score: 0

      i41...

      --
      sag
    2. Re:I for one, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Welcome our new Insect Cyborg overlords

      Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this scheme entail Insect Civilizations stupid enough to enter Hazardous Environments ? Won't this be just the sort of ruse the Flying Spaghetti Monster Hazardous Multi-verse Directorate is on the lookout for ?

  3. Fifth Element anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    -nt

  4. How long until it is weaponized? by marcosdumay · · Score: 3

    Seems an obvious candidade for weaponization. How log will it take?

    --
    Rethinking email
    1. Re:How long until it is weaponized? by MadKeithV · · Score: 1

      How log will it take?

      How log is a piece of strig?

      Thab debebs ob webber you hab a bab colb or nob.

    2. Re:How long until it is weaponized? by Chrisq · · Score: 1

      How log will it take?

      How log is a piece of strig?

      Thanks for the Koan, there's always time for Zen.

    3. Re:How long until it is weaponized? by gstoddart · · Score: 0

      Thanks for the Koan, there's always time for Zen.

      What is the sound of one cheek farting?

      If you see the Buddha on the road, say hi for me.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    4. Re:How long until it is weaponized? by dissy · · Score: 1

      How log will it take?

      How log is a piece of strig?

      According to the 2009 BBC/Horizons documentary by the same name: How long is a piece of string
      the answer is either 32cm, or infinite ;}

  5. Can you see the hostages....? by Chrisq · · Score: 3, Funny

    Can you see the hostages....?

    No I'm afraid our high tech surveillance system has been thwarted by a fly-spray.

    1. Re:Can you see the hostages....? by citizenr · · Score: 2

      Can you see the hostages....?

      No I'm afraid our high tech surveillance system has been thwarted by a fly-spray.

      http://futuretom.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/cockroach-fifth-element.jpg

      --
      Who logs in to gdm? Not I, said the duck.
  6. Stinkbugs by stevegee58 · · Score: 1

    I'm all for it as long as they predate on stinkbugs.

  7. Obvious applications by wdef · · Score: 3, Funny

    The "up skirt" and "bathroom cam" pron subgenres will put this to good use.

  8. Bug by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Our surveillance system was bugged anyway. If you can't beat them...

  9. Evil overlord's new hobby by Chemisor · · Score: 1

    Now evil overlords will have to switch from keeping fluffy cats to keeping scary spiders. "Come into my lair, little one! Feeling a little sticky? Hearing a soft patter of giant fuzzy legs? Bwah ha ha ha ha ha!"

    1. Re:Evil overlord's new hobby by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fluffy cats like insects too. At least the ones that move around.

  10. shoes sale by linling · · Score: 0

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    aa
  11. In Soviet Michigan... by seven+of+five · · Score: 1

    Bugs have programs.

  12. First responders? Or... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    First attackers!

  13. Dooms day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Grey goo is on its way...

  14. Flygun by pgpalmer · · Score: 1

    The latest in anti-cyborg technology! http://www.amazingflygun.com/main.asp I've got one, and it does work quite well.

  15. Terra Nova already did it. by Tastecicles · · Score: 1

    Latest episode: giant dragonfly equipped with SD media card. OK, it ain't quite "Fortress 2" bug, but there's yet another example of prior art. This ain't nothing new.

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    Operation Guillotine is in effect.