Creepy, futuristic cyborg beetles may help rescue victims of natural disasters, scientists say

It’s a different kind of “Help” by the Beetles.Between bomb-detecting rats and medical-grade maggots, it’s clear that one person’s pest is another’s savior.The latest member of this unlikely league of heroes is a remote-controlled beetle that could potentially be used to rescue victims of natural disasters, per a spine-tingling study published in “Advanced Science.”“It [the beetle] could be used in search-and-rescue missions as it could go into small nooks and crevices in a collapsed building to locate injured survivors,” said Dr.

Thang Vo-Doan, a researcher at the University of Queensland in Australia who spearheaded the research, Phys.org reported.The team’s revolutionary rescue project involves outfitting darkling beetles with removable backpacks that control the insect’s antenna and forewings through the use of electrodes.These cybernetically-enhanced insects are then piloted remotely using video game controllers so they can access survivors following a mine or building collapse.Why deploy one of the world’s oldest lifeforms instead of seemingly more advanced bots? Vo-Doan explained, “Beetles possess many natural gifts that make them the masters of climbing and maneuvering in small, complex spaces such as dense rubble, that are difficult for robots to navigate.”“Our work harnesses these gifts and adds programmable controls that allow for precise directional guidance, without affecting the lifespan of the beetle,” he added.In a video demonstration, these fun-size first responders can be seen navigating an obstacle course by moving side to side and going over walls like miniature marines — capabilities that elude their synthetic counterparts.The rescue beetles are strong for their size, able to climb while toting a battery that weighs as much as their own body.

The team is currently tweaking the design so the tiny recon artists can be outfitted with cameras and a power system that will enhance their ability to navigate rubble....