Greg Gage and Tim Marzullo are the
cofounders of an educational company (Backyard Brains) that introduced the
RoboRoach #12 at last months TEDx conference in Detroit. Ever wanted to control
the movement/direction of a roach? Well there’s an app for that! No, this isn’t
a joke. For about $99 you can purchase your very own RoboRoach kit that will
allow you to control a roach with your iphone (or other IOS devices), the kit
includes a reusable backpack and a battery, but you must supply your own
insect. In order for this to work, a small “operation” must be done on the
roach (under anesthesia) to connect the wires on the backpack to the roachs
antennas. Once connected, you can control the roach from your mobile device by
causing neurons to fire through the transmission of electrical pulses through
the wires. This kind of neurotechnology (microstimulation) is the same type of
technology that is being used to treat Parkinson’s Disease as well as Cochlear
Implants. What do you think about this new technology? I am deathly afraid of
roaches, so it’s safe to say that I would NEVER get close enough to one to try
this new ‘backback,’ but for those of you who aren’t do you think it is a good
learning tool? Does it actually teach kids anything?
http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2013/10/cyborg-cockroach-sparks-ethics-debate
Why would anyone want to control a roach is my question?! Lol. Anyways, I see why they are starting on a small scale first, considering this technology is being used to treat Parkinson's and Cochlear Implants. It reminds me of the advancement scientists have made with people who have lost their legs. Scientist found a way to use the signals their brain is sending to their legs and connecting it to the machinery to help them walk again. I'm pretty sure you can google it if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteThis is disturbing. I hate roaches as much as anyone else, but I do not advocate vivisection. Teaching kids that torture in the name of ‘science’ is acceptable is just wrong. Check out the surgery the child will perform on the roach on their website…
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really cool. It seems like it is equivalent to the pacemaker in the heart. I do wonder why specifically a roach was chosen and not something more along the lines of a mouse.
ReplyDeleteAfter we talked about this article last week I'm still kind of in disbelief. Why would anyone want to have control over a roach? Althought I have heard of roach jewelery, you can get buy bejeweled roaches and wear them as pendenants. This whole roach obsession grosses me out. When I have to walk past the case with them in the building I walk as far as I can on the opposite side of the hallway.
ReplyDeleteThe technology is very interesting though. I guess if you want to start adding wires to people's neurons to change their movements I would start with a roach.