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Should Hans Resier have been found guilty?

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RE: Just wait...

Comment comment by gnifyus on 08 May 2008

I'm trying to understand why it is they need to use actual insects in the first place, unless it's real purpose is to research the beginning stages of more advanced cyborg development. Why not make a completely robotic insect, which at least would have a much longer shelf life, and be useable many times?

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RE: Just wait... by NomadSoul :: NR5 :: 3 days ago

I suspect researching basic cybernetic interfaces must be part of it; but it's also very difficult to make a functioning robot insect (that is, one the size of the actual bug). I know they're working on it, but they just don't have actuators and batteries that will do the job yet.

That could change quickly, but for now, cyborgs are comparatively simple. Several years ago I saw an episode of Scientific American Frontiers where they ripped out a cockroach's antennae and replaced them with electrodes. From then on, they could literally steer the thing wherever they wanted it to go. It would be simple to switch to a wireless interface, add a camera and audio pickup, and thus recruit the world's smallest, creepiest spy.