Scientists Make First Step in Developing Cyborg Moth Biobots

Posted on August 22, 2014

Scientists from North Carolina State University attached electrodes to a moth in its late pupae stage, an important first step toward making cyborg moth biobots. The scientists say controllable moth biobots could used in search and rescue operations. Someday a moth biobot powered by a remote control device may help locate people trapped in a pile of rubble after a disaster.

The electrodes were attached to the muscle groups of the moth responsible for flight. The image below shows the moth connected to a wireless platform that is collecting electromyographic data as the moth moves its wings. The moth was suspended in the platform using electromagnets so it had freedom to turn left and right.

Dr. Alper Bozkurt, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State and co-author of the research paper, says in a statement, "By watching how the moth uses its wings to steer while in flight, and matching those movements with their corresponding electromyographic signals, we're getting a much better understanding of how moths maneuver through the air. We're optimistic that this information will help us develop technologies to remotely control the movements of moths in flight. That's essential to the overarching goal of creating biobots that can be part of a cyberphysical sensor network"

This video shows the moth flying as data is being collected about its flight muscles. The wired moth flies in the direction that corresponds with the movements of the LED lights. Take a look:

Dr. Bozkurt says the next steps to developing moth biobots include "developing an automated system to explore and fine-tune parameters for controlling moth flight, further miniaturizing the technology, and testing the technology in free-flying moths."

A research paper on the moth biobots was published here in the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE).



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