Gizmodo: insects

Video of the Remote-Control Flying Beetle Would Be Sad If It Wasn't So Terrifying

John Herrman — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:35:43 EST

When some scientists at Berkeley say they've managed to remote-control a Rhinoceros beetle it's one thing, but a video of the impressive, morbid experiment has a little more impact.

The first part of the video would seem to show that initial reports of the experiment's success were overblown—the bug is pretty much just switched on and off, tethered to a string like so many unlucky June bugs. The experiments do get quite a bit more advanced, with enough fairly fine directional control to show that flying one of these beetles around like an R/C plane isn't out of the questions.

In these videos the beetle is never fully untethered, and I imagine such a demonstration would look a bit less like an "enhanced experimentation technique" and more like a small-scale air-disaster. The most important question won't be relevant to our generation(s), but the next: CYBORG DEATH BEETLES? The new HotWheels? [Technology Review—Thanks, Robert]

Scientists Demo Living, Remote-Control Flying Cyborg Beetles

John Herrman — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:08:53 EST

Berkeley University scientists demoed a remote-control Rhinoceros beetle at a conference this week, repeatedly flying the cyborgian creature into observers' faces while screaming "WE ARE GODS! WE HUNGER FOR BLOOD SACRIFICE!

The first part of that, the true part, represents a huge step in the mechanical control of living things. It's far from the first foray into insect mind control, but by far the most precise—this specimen, commanded by six radio-actuated electrodes on the beetle's muscles and brain, could be piloted around the room like a tiny RC plane.

The hardware isn't much of a burden for the beetle, which is capable of taking flight with more than twice the 1.3g mass of the apparatus on board. The remaining payload will probably be filled with camera gear, as this project is funded by DARPA (natch) for surveillance purposes.

Unfortunately there's no video of the demo yet, but we have been furnished with this unintentionally funny picture of the event, which may or may not contain the bug in question. Can you spot it? [Tech-on]

RealBug Mouse Contains Giant Dead Insect Specimen

Sean Fallon — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:45:00 EDT

I know there are people out there that are into bugs...Jame Gumb (aka Buffalo Bill) and Gil Grissom for example—but this crap is just gross. Nonetheless, if you are a budding entomologist you will probably get a kick out of this USB mouse with a giant green beetle forever preserved in a plastic tomb. Also available in spider and starfish versions. [Scientificsonline via TRFJ via Boing Boing Gadgets]

10 Hilarious Ways To Kill Summertime Pests With Gadgets

Sean Fallon — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Nothing puts a damper on summertime activities quite like an infestation of pests. The warm weather brings out all kinds of creepy-crawlies, and getting the upper hand on them is no easy task. There are plenty of traditional methods of handling the situation, but they all lack one key element—fun. Indeed, a twisted type of pleasure can be derived from exterminating these pests if you have the right tools. So arm yourself with the following gadgets and enjoy some sick summertime fun.

Manual Methods:

Bug Net Launcher Gun: Just pull the trigger and four darts will shoot out carrying a net for capturing bugs. Available for $20. [Amazon]

Bug Zapper Tennis Racket: Fry those pesky insects and work on your backhand at the same time. Just two AA batteries will provide enough juice to electrocute the little suckers on contact. Available for $10. [Product Page]

Delete Key Flyswatter: It's old school, but any nerd can appreciate this method. Available for $8. [Spoon Sisters]

Let the Gadgets Do the Dirty Work:

Electronic Venus Fly Trap: Bait is hidden inside the mouth of the trap, which is fitted with two sensors that quickly snap the jaws shut when a fly is detected. After the deed is done, the jaws reopen and the trap emits a satisfied burp. Available for around $40. [Eurocosm via Link]

Talking Bug Zapper: This inhumanely hysterical twist on the old-fashioned bug zapper adds one of 15 phrases including “that’s gonna leave a mark,” and “goodbye cruel world!” when the bugs come in contact with the grid. It's probably more annoying than anything else, but it's cheap at only $20. [Product Page]

DIY Projects:

Electric Roach Motel: This little DIY project can generate 10 pulses at 400 volts per second using a 9 volt battery and a PIC12F683 with a switchable clock speed. That will fry a roach up good. However, it is probably not a good idea to have around if you have dogs, small children or gigantic, clumsy feet. [Mondo Technology via Link]

Lego Mousetrap: Mice are not usually a major problem in the summertime, but when the weather starts getting cooler they can be a real nuisance. Fortunately, you can put your love of Legos to good use by building a simple trap that is activated by a pressure plate. [True Dimensions via Link]

Torture:

Watch a Bug: It is supposed to be educational, but the bottom line is that you are holding a bug hostage in a tiny prison attached to your wrist. Whether it lives or dies a slow, agonizing death is up to you. Available for $5. [Wowcoolstuff]

Mosquito Spring-Loaded Bear Trap: Okay, this mini mosquito bear trap probably won't work, but if it ever did that would be a hunting tale for the ages. Available for $4. [FH Trading Post]

Let the Bugs Choose Their Own Fate:

Pest Decide: The device will draw in bugs using a set of UV LEDs, but which side will they choose? The blue light of Heaven or the red light of Hell? Either way, they still get zapped. Now that is cold. Available for around $28. [Lazybone]

Solar Dragonfly Flaps Wings Feebly, Makes Us Sad

Haroon Malik — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:59:00 EST

James Watts spends his time putting together fantastic insect-bot sculptures, and the Solar Dragonfly is one of the best. The solar panels running down the body actually power the wings, which are then kicked into motion using a pager motor. Sure, it looks swell, but we can't help but think the Solar Dragonfly would lose its balance whilst flapping its wings feebly, all the while wishing it was a real dragonfly. How would Disney have tackled that one? A solar powered dragonfly that wants to be a real insect—now there's a cartoon we want to see. Pixar, hop to it. Hit the link for some more great shots. [Clockwork Robot via Make]

Discovery Venus Fly Trap Robot Swallows Bugs Alive

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST

Sure, it's an easy enough thing to find a Little Shop of Horrors plant robot that snaps shut to kill bugs, then burp comedically. But how about a bionic Venus Fly Trap that lures insects, detects them with its hidden motion detectors, then gulps them down whole and alive? The bugs fall into the clear containment chamber, which you can decorate with mementos to keep the bugs from getting too homesick, such as a stick, a leaf and maybe a piece of cheese or celery. Doing this, the Discovery Channel Store explains, allows you to "discover a world of fascinating discoveries." And yes, they do take the Discover card. [Discovery via Ubergizmo]

Spider Catcher, for Catch-and-Release Spider Hunting Fun

Charlie White — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:00:00 EST

OK all you wussies, instead of smashing that spider against the wall with your bare hands and leaving a permanent stain, keep that eight-legged creepy-crawly arachnid at arms length with this Spider Catcher, made of stiff bristles that let you practice catch-and-release tactics in your own home. This device is even delicate enough to catch butterflies and moths without harming them.

Its makers tout its humane nature, not killing those poor spiders and insects but releasing them outside where they'll be free to reproduce and spawn even more of their progeny to come inside and bug you again. But then, is it inhumane to kill a spider, an insect, a worm, a single-celled animal? Perhaps some people are taking that phrase "thou shall not kill" a bit too literally. – Charlie White

Product Page [Gizoo, via Shiny Shiny]

Insect Lab Clockwork Insects: Uh Oh

Mark Wilson — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 15:05:39 EST

We got cocky earlier today with the mind controllable robot, and we've paid the price. Score one for robots in their epic battle with humans, as they've officially merged with the insect world.

Insect Lab makes mechanical insect displays. By taking high quality preserved insects and imbuing them with watch parts, the insect world transcends its normal mortal limitations...even if they don't necessarily walk, fly or move in any manner. Prices run in the mid to low hundreds and all units come packaged with a fairly high creep factor. – Mark Wilson

Product Page [via boingboing]

Robotic Roach Fools Real Ones, Teaches Them To Party Down

Gizloco — Fri, 26 May 2006 11:54:37 EDT

Europe, the same continent that produced conquistadors and the Inquisition, has now produced robotic cockroaches that scientists hope will influence cockroach societies everywhere. The scientists call the robotic roach an "Insbot" and it's nothing more than a tiny robot the size of a matchbox that's just oozing pheremones, causing the real roaches to accept it as one of their own. Complex mathematical models direct the robot's movement and behavior, as seen in this video.

Did this bold experiment succeed on any level? It seems the Insbot is able to convince the other roaches to walk towards the light, whereas roaches are normally deathly afraid of bright light. The scientists hope to develop more robots for other animals that employ a similar social intelligence. Maybe they can develop robotic roaches that teaches real roaches to get out of my basement. – Nicholas Deleon

Robo-roach could betray real cockroaches [NewScientistTech via The Red Ferret Journal]