Robotic Cockroaches

image The Times reports on a group of European researchers who are developing a robotic cockroach. This tiny robot, dubbed InsBot, will infiltrate cockroach communities, assume a leadership role, and then lead the insects out into the light (and to their doom). The researchers hope that someday people will use these robo-roaches as a way of controlling roach infestations. This all sounds so bizarre that I'd assume it was a hoax if it wasn't reported in The Times. But I've got to assume they've done their homework and aren't trying to pull our leg. The researchers are also looking into robotic chickens, sheep, and guinea fowl. (via We Make Money Not Art)

Animals Technology

Posted on Tue Nov 16, 2004



Comments

why don't they just have the robotic cockroaches electricute the real ones? And, surely the roaches would be able to smell the robot as foreign.
Posted by John  on  Tue Nov 16, 2004  at  05:50 PM
John,
They covered the scent bit with the "perfume" they've developed. Just hope they don't start mentioning pheramones! As for the "stealth" robot cockroach(electrocution as weapon of choice), I take it that you've never had to battle with a REALLY roach-infested building/apartment. The last one I spent 2 nites in, an Army "Guest House" at Ft. Polk, LA, 1982, was burned to the ground by the post Fire Dept. the following year to help control the post's roach population.
Posted by stork  on  Tue Nov 16, 2004  at  09:23 PM
Roaches are tough...didn't anyone see "Joe's Apartment"?
Posted by Maegan  on  Wed Nov 17, 2004  at  07:53 AM
My apartment building had an intractable roach problem, until I got a cat. Don't know about the rest of the building, but my place has been bug-free ever since Tiger Joe started his nightly patrols.
Posted by Big Gary C  on  Wed Nov 17, 2004  at  06:46 PM
:P

just have a look on http://leurre.ulb.ac.be, and you will be more informed and you can have a better judgement, guys...
Posted by jm  on  Mon Jan 10, 2005  at  12:40 PM
real or robotic, i still cant stand roaches *shivers*
Posted by Eva  on  Fri Feb 10, 2006  at  07:11 PM
I think this group is a bunch of closet X-Files fans and they are taking an episode to an extreme.
Posted by Lounge Lizard  on  Sat Jul 08, 2006  at  03:34 PM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.