Manufacturing 'cockroach robots' specialized in disaster relief

When disaster strikes, every minute is significant, especially for rescuing trapped victims. In an attempt to find faster survivors, American researchers developed bio-cockroaches that could be controlled to manipulate through rubble and cramped spaces better than conventional robots. .

>> Manufacturing 'cockroach robots' specialized in disaster relief

Development of biological cockroaches - cockroach cockroaches

Using robotized cockroaches is not a completely new idea. Researchers from the University of Carolina (USA) last year also published such a project. However, this project drives the cockroaches by sound cues, while the new study is headed by expert Hong Liang of Texas A&M University (USA), which really stimulates the brain of cockroaches. to control their movements and navigate as desired.

The methods of previous studies using cockroaches were tied to control devices, while in the new study, they could be remotely navigated.

" Robotic hybrid systems have significant advantages over conventional robot systems. Hybrid systems that use live, small insects possess an effective sensor mode and respond to the environment through a myriad of Feedback channels, such live systems can generate energy through water, air and food absorption , "a new research report, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

Using a living creature also has the advantage of being able to avoid threats, without the need for operator intervention. If a killer prey or catastrophe in front of him, the robot cockroach will run away instinctively.

Even so, the ability to control cockroaches is very important, as operators are more likely to know where these insects can begin to search.

According to experts, to create robotic hybrid cockroaches , they will let the cockroach on a back of a assembled backpack directly into its brain. By stimulating certain areas of cockroaches, they can control the insect's activities and order it where it needs to go. Both of these capabilities work together, making cockroaches an effective tool in rescuing disaster survivors.

To create better-equipped robotic cocktails to deal with the real-world disaster scenario, Hong Liang's team plans to add cameras, microphones and other sensors to help people with things. Control them better. In addition, reducing the size of the attached device is also a top priority, as the extra weight slows down the speed of the cockroaches, making it difficult to complete the task for a long time.