Scientists from the Japan Ricken Research Institute's Lab Labs developed a film for solar batteries with a thickness of 4 microns, which can form the basis of a device placed on an insect's abdomen that can control their movements remotely, and researchers believe that such cyborgs will be suitable for searching for people in the gutters after earthquakes.
It is expected that small solar and electronic backpacks will be placed on the backs of insects in such a way that they can move freely. The energy generated will be sufficient to generate and transmit remote signals to the insect's senses. This work is expected to form the basis for a device that can control insects that can reach hard-to-reach areas far more efficiently than robots.
," noted Kenjiro Fukad.
In their work, researchers have used Madagascar's boiling cockroaches because they are large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment, and they have no wings that could cause interference. Even with a backpack and a plastic solar panel on their backs, cockroaches are able to overcome small obstacles and get on their feet in the event of a roll on their backs.
The scientists have a lot of work to do, including to make the insect control device as miniaturous as possible. It is expected that additional sensors and even a camera will be placed on the back of the insects.