Flying Real Beetles by Remote Control
The study of insects is not a trivial task, and scientists are constantly developing new solutions and methods. Researchers from the Berkeley University of California and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore created a sort of “cyber” beetle. They decided to use the giant flower beetle, which has a length of about 6 inches and weight of 8 grams and set an electronic module on his back connected to the muscles electrodes, which enabled them to stimulate and thereby to control the beetle.
The module has a weight of 1.5 grams, is placed inside the microcontroller, wireless module above the electrodes and the tiny 3.9-volt lithium-ion battery. Data from the beetle are registered to a computer, where it is processed for research and the creation of algorithms of his muscles. Research beetle was placed in a small room with radio signals and scientists have learned to control his flight. One of the interesting discoveries was the fact that the muscle called the Third axillary sclerite plays a key role in the possibility of turning in the air. Previously it was thought that it is only responsible for the folding wings.
As reported by scientists such “cyber” beetles can be used not only for research purposes. For example, you can optionally install a miniature imager and a microphone to use these beetles for rescue operations in remote places.