The flat body of the cockroach can enter the place where humans can do without leaving traces. They will eat almost anything, and they are bold nearby.
All these qualities are perfect knowledge for search and rescue operation among more suspicious applications such as surveillance. Therefore, with the University of Osaka University in Japan Indonesia’s Diponegoro University Cyborg cockroaches decided that it would be a good idea.
This concept is associated with combining the best of the two worlds: organic cockroach anatomy, fine adjustment Millions of years It is evolution to explore small space and hostile environment, and is guided to the target destination selected as several electronic nuclear weapons in the advanced backpack.
“It is difficult to create a small -scale robot. We wanted to avoid this obstacle by simply keeping things.” Explain The chief author of Mochammad Ariyanto, a machine engineer of Diponegoro University.
“By simply attaching electronic devices to insects, you can avoid details on robotics engineering and focus on achieving goals.”
To be honest: even the most advanced robots are quite stupid when they move. The animal movement has a detailed level.
It is especially clear in terms of vertical navigation. As all Whovians can see, many robots are easy Cancel with simple stairs. Cockroaches, on the other hand, can climb walls, increase boundaries, penetrate pipes, and even withstand low oxygen environments.
The team wanted rather than starting from the beginning Make sure Madagascar is watching cockroaches (Gromphadorhina Portentosa) Can be mounted with SAntenna and the transplantation of the body that can be used to guide the possession and insects that detect motion, obstacle, humidity, temperature and other data.
The entire shebang is called the ‘Biobbn (BIOBBN) system’ bio -hybrid operation based navigation (BIOBBN) and is based on the reaching range. Including goals Reach to the set location Avoiding obstacles on the way.
BIOBBN features two navigation algorithms. One is for a simple environment and the other is for a more complex situation.
“The first navigation system can take advantage of a bulky and heavy electronic backpack, but the second needed more compact and light. Complex terrain navigation, “author write.
They tested cockroaches in an obstacle course scattered with sand, rocks, and wood. The navigation command was rarely used by Cyborg to reach its goal, but most animals were able to find their way, avoid obstacles, or overcome their obstacles, and to right when they worked.
“This algorithm… Using the natural behavior of cockroaches, such as following the walls and climbing, searched for obstacles and obstacles. write.
“The dense second scenario required more time due to obstacles and natural climbing. “
The authors hope that this botbot can be used to inspect the dangerous debris left in the traces of war and natural disasters and to be used to be in trouble with survivors and rescue workers. They can rewrite the data on places that are not suitable for humans: the narrow pipes of the building, deep underground tunnels and sensitive cultural heritages. The team also pays attention to the potential value of surveillance, which is much more surprising.
“Cyborg insects think that they can achieve their goals with less effort and power than pure machine robots.” Say Keisuke Morishima, a wet robot engineer at the University of Osaka.
“Autonomous bio hybrid navigation systems have traditionally been difficult to overcome the challenges of robots, which are necessary to enter real scenarios such as the wilderness outside the laboratory.”
Of course, it’s not clear how cockroaches feel about everything.
This study has been published Soft Robot Engineering.
