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Scientists Developing Remote-Control Cyborg Moths

Posted by samzenpus on from the stay-out-of-the-light dept.

Zothecula writes We've been hearing a lot about the development of tiny flying sensor-equipped robots, that could be sent into areas such as disaster sites to seek out survivors or survey the damage. However, why go to the trouble of designing those robots from scratch, when there are already ready-made insects that are about the right size? That's the thinking behind research being conducted at North Carolina State University, which is aimed at converting moths into "biobots".

27 comments

  1. moth balls by Nyder · · Score: 1

    ya, but moth balls will always bring them down.

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    1. Re:moth balls by SternisheFan · · Score: 1

      ya, but moth balls will always bring them down.

      Not to mention patio lights.

    2. Re:moth balls by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Moths avoid moth balls.

    3. Re:moth balls by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Their frickin lasers ought to take care of that.

    4. Re:moth balls by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

      So use female moths. Duh.

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      systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  2. NCSU is mostly talk by turkeydance · · Score: 1

    with little action. biobots resemble NC State's administration. oh, the stories i could tell.

  3. Mothra by Zordak · · Score: 2

    This will obviously ultimately lead to Mothra, which will be aswesome, especially if these guys also figure out how to build Godzilla so they can have an epic battle to the death that wrecks a scale model of Tokyo.

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  4. Do the tests stat ... by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

    ... moths don't live a long time and stuff.

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    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    1. Re:Do the tests stat ... by viperidaenz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      They live longer than a charge on a battery powered flying vehicle.

    2. Re:Do the tests stat ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      They live longer than my S5 without a change..

    3. Re:Do the tests stat ... by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

      I'd mod your comment up if I could ... excellent point.

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      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    4. Re:Do the tests stat ... by freelunch · · Score: 1

      The moth that burns twice as bright burns for half as long.

    5. Re:Do the tests stat ... by wvmarle · · Score: 1

      As counterargument, a couple hours of flying time is enough for many missions like seeing what's around the corner or inside a building, and cyborg moths don't come out of their pupa on demand, nor can they be pre-produced and stored waiting for use in an emergency.

    6. Re:Do the tests stat ... by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

      unless you can freeze them like you can with flies

    7. Re:Do the tests stat ... by sanjeev1991 · · Score: 1

      Many equipment which are not generally made up of water resistant, Any water or liquid may damage that euipments!!

    8. Re:Do the tests stat ... by wvmarle · · Score: 1

      A large stock of cryogenic, cyborg moths; ready to be unfrozen and directed to do whatever their masters tell them to do.

      This starts to sound rather creepy to me. Stuff for a scifi thriller.

    9. Re:Do the tests stat ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You were OK with the cybernetic control mechanisms, but refrigeration technology makes it creepy?

    10. Re:Do the tests stat ... by Bugamn · · Score: 1

      I'm cool with that.

  5. I know I'm old, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    When I was young, we didn't go around genetically engineering moths to be remote controls. We just made the kids get up and turn the knob on the TV to change the channel.

  6. Finally! by Alejux · · Score: 1

    I was starting to wonder when they would get to it...

    1. Re:Finally! by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

      They "got to it" five years ago.

      http://spectrum.ieee.org/robot...

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      systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  7. Submit to your moth rulers. by Eravnrekaree · · Score: 1

    I for one welcome our new moth overlords.

    1. Re:Submit to your moth rulers. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In Soviet Russia, new moth overlords welcome YOU!

  8. Wow by cadeon · · Score: 1

    This is straight out of science fiction.

    I can see it now, a comic book super villain and his swarm of programmable insects.

    What a time to be alive.

    1. Re:Wow by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

      I can see it now, a comic book super villain and his swarm of programmable insects.

      You mean, like this guy?

    2. Re:Wow by cadeon · · Score: 1

      Perfect.

  9. Godzilla by slapout · · Score: 1

    Didn't Godzilla fight those one time?

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