Scientists at University of California Berkeley, have been able to control a living beetle remotely and guide its movements, through neural and muscle stimulation systems, for a project funded by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). The system includes stimulators, microcontroller with transceiver, and a microbattery. The scientists were able to control the landing, take off and turning of the beetle by stimulating different muscles to work harder. This is the first time that the flight of insect were controlled remotely.

The research could serve for a model for micro air vehicles which are currently under development. There are various advantages of using micro air vehicles such as the accessability to spaces which are highly inaccessible. See video below:

Reference: www.physorg.com/news174812133.html

  cyborg, insect, remote control