Cyborg Beetles:
The Remote Radio Control of Insect Flight

 

Abstract

In this talk, I will discuss my lab's recent demonstrations of the remote control of insects in free flight via an implantable radio-equipped miniature neural stimulating system. The basic systems consisted of a pronotum-mounted radio transceiver-equipped microcontroller, a microbattery and neural and muscular stimulators. Flight initiation, cessation and elevation control were accomplished through neural stimulus of the brain which elicited, suppressed or modulated wing oscillation. Turns were triggered through the direct muscular stimulus of either of the basalar muscles. We have characterized the response times, success rates, and free-flight trajectories elicited by our neural control systems in remotely-controlled beetles. I will also discuss ongoing work in extreme miniaturization of the flight control package, pupal implantation experiments and implantable fuel cells which use the insect to produce power.