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Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
China develops 74 mg ultra-light brain controller that turns bees into tiny soldiers
Chinese researchers have developed the world's lightest brain control device that can precisely direct a bee's movement, according to a report by South China Morning Post. The technology, led by Professor Zhao Jieliang's team at the Beijing Institute of Technology, was published on June 11 in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering. The brain control device weighs only 74 milligrams, which is lighter than the nectar a bee can carry. It is fixed on the bee's back and connects to its brain using three fine needles. Electrical signals sent through the device create artificial cues, guiding the bee to turn, move forward, or reverse. In tests, bees responded accurately to commands in nine out of ten attempts. Built on bee's natural efficiency Worker bees are known for their strength and range, capable of flying up to 5 kilometres while carrying nectar loads that weigh as much as 80% of their body mass. The researchers used this natural efficiency to create a high-performance robotic system. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo 'Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts,' Zhao and colleagues wrote. 'Compared to synthetic alternatives, they demonstrate enhanced stealth and extended operational endurance, making them invaluable for covert reconnaissance in scenarios such as urban combat, counterterrorism and narcotics interdiction, as well as critical disaster relief operations.' Lighter and more advanced than earlier designs Before this, the lightest insect brain controller came from Singapore and was over three times heavier. It was used on beetles and cockroaches, which have shorter ranges and tire quickly. Live Events Zhao's team advanced the technology by printing circuits on an ultra-thin flexible film, nearly as thin as an insect wing. This film holds multiple chips, including one for infrared remote control, allowing more complex commands. In experiments, the device worked across nine pulse patterns. The researchers matched signals with movements in both bees and cockroaches. Bees could be steered mid-air, and cockroaches walked along defined paths with little deviation. Power and precision remain key challenges The device currently requires a wired power source. A small battery that could power it wirelessly would weigh around 600 milligrams, too heavy for a bee. Also, cockroaches showed signs of fatigue after ten uses. In some cases, insects responded differently to the same signal, and body parts like legs and abdomens did not respond at all. Zhao's team acknowledged these issues and said more work is needed to refine the system. 'In future research, precision and repeatability of insect behaviour control will be enhanced by optimising stimulation signals and control techniques,' they wrote. They also plan to improve the technology further. 'Concurrently expanding functional modules of the control backpack will improve environmental perception capabilities of insect-based robots , advancing their deployment in complex operational settings such as reconnaissance and detection missions.'
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
China Builds World's Lightest Mind-Controller That Turns Bees Into Military Cyborgs
Scientists in China are turning nectar-sucking bees into modern warfare cyborgs by inserting small controllers into their brains and dictating where they can fly. Once nature's most efficient pollinator is turned into a cyborg, it can be used for covert military operations or in missions in locations inaccessible to humans. Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology have developed the world's lightest brain controller, weighing 74 milligrams, that can be used to control the bees. The device is strapped on the bee's back and pierces its brain using three needles. It creates illusions with electronic pulses to command flight: turn left, turn right, advance, retreat. Nine out of 10 times, the bee obeyed, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. "Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts," said Professor Zhao Jieliang, whose team built the mind-controller. "Compared to synthetic alternatives, they demonstrate enhanced stealth and extended operational endurance, making them invaluable for covert reconnaissance in scenarios such as urban combat, counterterrorism and narcotics interdiction, as well as critical disaster relief operations," they added. To develop the mind-controller device, Chinese scientists took inspiration from the cyborg controller developed in Singapore that can command beetles and cockroaches. However, it was triple the weight. Mr Zhao's team brought the weight down by printing the circuits on polymer film, which houses numerous chips, including an infrared remote, whilst being as thin as insect wings. Despite reducing the weight, the challenge remains for Mr Zhao's team. The current batteries are not able to last very long, but any larger and the packs would be too heavy for the bees to carry. The same device cannot easily be used on different insects as each responds to signals on different parts of their bodies. "In future research, precision and repeatability of insect behaviour control will be enhanced by optimising stimulation signals and control techniques," wrote Zhao's team.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Chinese Scientists Create Cyborg Bees That Can Be Controlled Like Drones for Undercover Military Missions
Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology have turned innocent bees into cyborgs that can be controlled via a 74-milligram insect brain controller. As the South China Morning Post reports, the controller pierces the bee's tiny brain with three needles and uses signals sent via electronic pulses to make it fly forwards, backwards, left, or right. According to the reporting, the bee obeyed these commands nine out of ten times. The researchers are hoping that the tiny cyborg could allow the military to infiltrate hard-to-access space or be used in search and rescue missions to find survivors in natural disasters, according to a research paper. "Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts," the paper reads, as quoted by the SCMP. The idea of turning real-life insects into military agents is surprisingly widespread. We've already come across scientists turning cockroaches into a crawling legion of desert recon operatives. Earlier this year, a team of Japanese scientists even controlled cicadas to turn their chirps into a rendition of the soundtrack of "Top Gun." The Beijing team is betting on the "extended operational endurance" of real bees, which makes them "invaluable for covert reconnaissance in scenarios such as urban combat, counterterrorism and narcotics interdiction, as well as critical disaster relief operations." But before an army of bees can infiltrate military targets as part of futuristic covert operations, the researchers still have plenty of hurdles to overcome. For one, power delivery is still a major problem. The bees still need to be wired up to the controller to function, since a big enough battery weighs in at a relatively hefty 600 milligrams, vastly more than the tiny load of the equipment itself. "In future research, precision and repeatability of insect behaviour control will be enhanced by optimising stimulation signals and control techniques," the paper reads, per the SCMP. The researchers are looking to expand the functionalities of the system to the point where they can be used for "reconnaissance and detection missions." More on cyborgs: Army of Backpack-Wearing Cyborg Cockroaches Swarm Desert Target
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
China building massive army of cyborgs
Chinese researchers created the first cyborg bee using a 74-milligram brain controller, marking a significant leap in cyborg technology for military and disaster applications China unveils remote-controlled cyborg bee with lightweight brain chip Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology have built the world's lightest insect brain controller, enabling full remote control over a live bee's movements. Weighing just 74 milligrams, lighter than the nectar loads bees typically carry, the device represents a major advancement in cyborg technology. The controller, mounted on the bee's back, pierces the insect's brain using three ultra-fine needles and delivers targeted electronic pulses. These pulses simulate sensory input, effectively guiding the insect to turn, advance, or retreat. In controlled tests, the bees responded to commands with a 90 per cent success rate. Also read: China camouflaging its super tanks in Beijing? After Bohai sea monster, mystery vehicles raise expectation According to the team's peer-reviewed study published in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering on June 11, the cyborg bee holds potential applications in disaster relief and military operations. 'Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts,' wrote Professor Zhao Jieliang and colleagues. 'Compared to synthetic alternatives, they demonstrate enhanced stealth and extended operational endurance, making them invaluable for covert reconnaissance in scenarios such as urban combat, counterterrorism and narcotics interdiction, as well as critical disaster relief operations.'Cyborg bee outperforms earlier insect controllersPrevious efforts in cyborg technology produced heavier controllers for slower insects. A prior model developed in Singapore, which controlled beetles and cockroaches, weighed three times more than the new Chinese system. Those insects could crawl but suffered from fatigue and had limited contrast, bees offer longer endurance and higher mobility. Capable of flying up to 5 kilometers without rest and carrying payloads equivalent to 80 per cent of their body weight, bees are well-suited for such applications. Also read: The coder 'village' at heart of China's latest AI frenzy Zhao's team constructed their controller by printing microelectronic circuits on polymer film. The film, as thin and flexible as insect wings, contains numerous components including an infrared system was tested using nine distinct pulse settings. Researchers first analyzed bee wing movement and cockroach turning behavior, then matched electrical signals to corresponding motor responses. As a result, they achieved high-precision control: bees banked in flight while cockroaches followed straight paths with minimal limitations persist. Bees currently require wired power, and cockroaches show signs of fatigue after 10 pulses. Additionally, the same signal may provoke inconsistent responses across insect species. China advances in cyborg tech race amid global competition The development marks a significant milestone in China's push to dominate cyborg robotics. Historically, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) led the field, with Japan making substantial progress as well. China's recent advancements, however, signal a by robust state investment and a growing electronics manufacturing base, Chinese research institutions are setting new records in lightweight cyborg the breakthrough, technical challenges remain. A long-lasting battery still weighs around 600 milligrams, far too heavy for bee flight. Additionally, the current device cannot control leg or belly movement, limiting functionality.'In future research, precision and repeatability of insect behaviour control will be enhanced by optimising stimulation signals and control techniques,' Zhao's team wrote. 'Concurrently expanding functional modules of the control backpack will improve environmental perception capabilities of insect-based robots, advancing their deployment in complex operational settings such as reconnaissance and detection missions.' Also read: Canada's security under threat as CSIS uncovers Chinese spy targeting government secrets The next phase of development will likely focus on reducing power consumption, enhancing signal precision, and integrating environmental sensors to expand operational capabilities.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
China building massive army of cyborgs
China unveils remote-controlled cyborg bee with lightweight brain chip Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology have built the world's lightest insect brain controller, enabling full remote control over a live bee's movements. Weighing just 74 milligrams, lighter than the nectar loads bees typically carry, the device represents a major advancement in cyborg technology. The controller, mounted on the bee's back, pierces the insect's brain using three ultra-fine needles and delivers targeted electronic pulses. These pulses simulate sensory input, effectively guiding the insect to turn, advance, or retreat. In controlled tests, the bees responded to commands with a 90 per cent success rate. Also read: China camouflaging its super tanks in Beijing? After Bohai sea monster, mystery vehicles raise expectation According to the team's peer-reviewed study published in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering on June 11, the cyborg bee holds potential applications in disaster relief and military operations. Live Events 'Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts,' wrote Professor Zhao Jieliang and colleagues. 'Compared to synthetic alternatives, they demonstrate enhanced stealth and extended operational endurance, making them invaluable for covert reconnaissance in scenarios such as urban combat, counterterrorism and narcotics interdiction, as well as critical disaster relief operations.' Cyborg bee outperforms earlier insect controllers Previous efforts in cyborg technology produced heavier controllers for slower insects. A prior model developed in Singapore, which controlled beetles and cockroaches, weighed three times more than the new Chinese system. Those insects could crawl but suffered from fatigue and had limited range. In contrast, bees offer longer endurance and higher mobility. Capable of flying up to 5 kilometers without rest and carrying payloads equivalent to 80 per cent of their body weight, bees are well-suited for such applications. Also read: The coder 'village' at heart of China's latest AI frenzy Zhao's team constructed their controller by printing microelectronic circuits on polymer film. The film, as thin and flexible as insect wings, contains numerous components including an infrared receiver. The system was tested using nine distinct pulse settings. Researchers first analyzed bee wing movement and cockroach turning behavior, then matched electrical signals to corresponding motor responses. As a result, they achieved high-precision control: bees banked in flight while cockroaches followed straight paths with minimal deviation. However, limitations persist. Bees currently require wired power, and cockroaches show signs of fatigue after 10 pulses. Additionally, the same signal may provoke inconsistent responses across insect species. China advances in cyborg tech race amid global competition The development marks a significant milestone in China's push to dominate cyborg robotics. Historically, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) led the field, with Japan making substantial progress as well. China's recent advancements, however, signal a shift. Backed by robust state investment and a growing electronics manufacturing base, Chinese research institutions are setting new records in lightweight cyborg hardware. Despite the breakthrough, technical challenges remain. A long-lasting battery still weighs around 600 milligrams, far too heavy for bee flight. Additionally, the current device cannot control leg or belly movement, limiting functionality. 'In future research, precision and repeatability of insect behaviour control will be enhanced by optimising stimulation signals and control techniques,' Zhao's team wrote. 'Concurrently expanding functional modules of the control backpack will improve environmental perception capabilities of insect-based robots, advancing their deployment in complex operational settings such as reconnaissance and detection missions.' Also read: Canada's security under threat as CSIS uncovers Chinese spy targeting government secrets The next phase of development will likely focus on reducing power consumption, enhancing signal precision, and integrating environmental sensors to expand operational capabilities.
