"Bugged bugs" can go where humans can't
Posted 11.28.2011 at 5:57 pm
4 Comments
Bugged Bug
University of Michigan
We've seen insects with microchips attached used as zombie drones and weapon trackers, thanks to DARPA. But now a group at the University of Michigan has a plan to unleash cyborg insects equipped with sensors as first responders in dangerous environments.
The bugs carry small devices on their backs that harvest the energy of wing movements, and use it to power cameras, microphones, sensors and communication equipment.
"Through energy scavenging, we could potential power cameras, microphones and other sensors and communication equipment that an insect could carry aboard a tiny backpack," said Professor Khalil Najafi, chair of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Michigan. "We could send these 'bugged' bugs into dangerous or enclosed environments where we would not want humans to go."
4 Comments
To comment, please Login.
Popular Tags
Technology
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2013: American Energy Independence
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.
Popular on Popsci
Most Commented
Technology
- Defense Distributed's Cody Wilson On Being Told To Remove 3-D Printed Gun Plans: "We Win"
- This Newer, Stronger 3-D Printed Gun Costs Just $25
- Thieves Stole $45 Million From ATMs Because The U.S. Uses Absurd 40-Year-Old Technology
- Autonomous X-47B Jet Fighter Makes Historic First Launch From An Aircraft Carrier
- Russia Is Building Robots To 'Neutralize' Terrorists
- How To Turn An AK-47 Into A Soup Ladle
- America's Road To Energy Independence, Part 1
- Mapping The Simpsons' Slow Descent Into Suckitude
- Iran Unveils Absurd New Stealth Drone
- College Students Make First-Ever Successful Flight And Landing Of A Concrete Airplane
Most Emailed
Technology
- Robotic Kite Power Could Turn The Sky Into A Wind Farm
- These 11 Robot Bartenders Will Get You Drunk
- 11 Robot Bartenders That Will Get You Drunk
- Brazilian Government Invests In Robocops To Prep For World Cup, Olympics
- The BBC's New Radio Can Alter Broadcasts Based On Who's Listening
- Social Media Replaces Police Missing Persons Searches In France
- New Water-Repellant Fabric Is Like A Second Skin
- U.S. Army Creates Shoebox-Size Universal Battery Charger
- Who Wouldn't Want To Stay In This Totally Insane Space Hotel!?
- Big Pic: Eruption Of Alaska's Pavlof Volcano, As Seen From The International Space Station
Most Viewed
Technology
- Robotic Kite Power Could Turn The Sky Into A Wind Farm
- 11 Robot Bartenders That Will Get You Drunk
- These 11 Robot Bartenders Will Get You Drunk
- Brazilian Government Invests In Robocops To Prep For World Cup, Olympics
- The BBC's New Radio Can Alter Broadcasts Based On Who's Listening
- Social Media Replaces Police Missing Persons Searches In France
- New Water-Repellant Fabric Is Like A Second Skin
- U.S. Army Creates Shoebox-Size Universal Battery Charger
- Who Wouldn't Want To Stay In This Totally Insane Space Hotel!?
- Big Pic: Eruption Of Alaska's Pavlof Volcano, As Seen From The International Space Station
Online Content Director: Suzanne LaBarre | Email
Senior Editor: Paul Adams | Email
Associate Editor: Dan Nosowitz | Email
Assistant Editor: Colin Lecher | Email
Assistant Editor: Rose Pastore | Email
Contributing Writers:
Kelsey D. Atherton | Email
Francie Diep | Email
Shaunacy Ferro | Email
Today on PopSci.com
Copyright © 2012 Popular Science
A Bonnier Corporation Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
This is a real big stepfor spyingtech. Seriously, how much farther can this go? On the other hand, though I'm not paranoid about privacy and stuff like that, but this thing could really go into locker rooms. I also recently read a popsci article on face recognition software that recognized facebook users. This thing could really go out and search for criminals, but nevertheless this not something I would like buzzing around me.
RoboRoach 'que robocop theme'
PS. This site needs more REAL police to remove these spam posts, really annoying.
Know I understand how god\the aliens always know what we humans have up to. Those roaches everywhere in the world, well in fact they are really organic bug spies for our cloaked alien visitors. Yea, it all begins to make sense now. I better go get more RAID and tin foil for my hat.
Seriously? I hate bugs! If one of those robot bugs was to come in my home,I would think it's a cockroach and smush it flat with my shoes!!I hate cockroaches so much,that I can see when they are coming.Uh,some people are sensitive to bugs!!!!!!!1