An upcoming study, which is still pending review, has shown that approximately 20 cyborg cockroaches equipped with small computer «backpacks» can be effectively controlled to move together across sandy dunes, the Independent reports.
Controlling Cockroaches Through Technology
These living cockroaches, outfitted with technological devices, can be maneuvered by researchers by transmitting commands to them regarding the direction of movement. Signals are transmitted from the backpacks to the cockroaches’ sensory organs through electrodes attached to their bodies. In addition to being able to control their movement direction, the cockroaches can also navigate obstacles as they normally would.
Challenges and Discoveries
Scientists have also observed cases where cockroaches accidentally flipped over on their backs, and other individuals helped them to right themselves.
While the process of turning insects into cyborgs has been documented, demonstrating the swarm behavior of such multi-cyborg systems has proven to be a complex task. «This research gap is due to the difficulty of coordinating swarm movements in conditions of individual variability in responses to control signals,» explain the researchers.
New Navigation Algorithm
To address these issues, scientists have developed a new navigation algorithm for the swarm that the cyborg cockroaches should follow. The study notes that among the 20 cockroaches, one acted as a leader, while the rest acted as followers. While the leader knew the target point, the followers only relied on the positions of their neighbors.
Scientists discovered several «intriguing» features of the swarm behavior during its movement across the desert. They realized that the new algorithm reduces the risk of cockroaches getting entangled during movement.
