Researchers at the University of Osaka have developed a remote-control system for cockroaches, marking a significant milestone in the bio-hybrid robotic sector.
An innovative approach uses tiny, goggle-like helmets equipped with ultraviolet (UV) lights to steer the insects through various environments, offering a less invasive and more sustainable alternative to traditional cyborg insect technology.
In the conventional methods of controlling insect behavior, scientists often employ invasive surgery and install internal wiring to directly manipulate the insect’s nervous system or muscles. The leader of this study, Keisuke Morishima, emphasizes that the team chooses to guide the insect through its own senses instead of riding their brain.
The tiny helmets, which feature small UV lights, will turn the lights on when the cockroach stands still. Researchers leverage the insect’s natural hate to UV light, a behavior known as negative phototaxis. They just simply shine light into either eye of the cockroach to make it move to the left or right.
The effectiveness of this system was demonstrated through a series of maze navigation trials. In a study published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, helmet-clad cockroaches successfully navigated a maze-like environment in 94% of over 150 trials.
The positive results contrast to the mere 24% success rate of cockroaches without helmets attempting the same maze. This highlights the precision and reliability of the UV light steering system.
One of the key advantages of this approach is its long-term efficacy. Unlike methods that rely on electrical signals to control insect movement, which often lose effectiveness as the insects adapt to the signals, the UV light system maintains its functionality over extended periods. This is because it leverages a natural behavioral response rather than forcing a reaction through direct nerve or muscle stimulation.
Moreover, this bio-hybrid system also shows its potential in vast and varied applications. Controllable cyborg insects could be deployed in situations where conventional robots are unsuitable, such as search and rescue missions following natural disasters. Their small size and agility will allow them to move in collapsed structures and other hazardous environments.
In addition, they also can be used for environmental monitoring in sensitive habitats, collecting data, and sending information without causing significant disturbance.
Image & Article source by Wiley Online Library
