Robotic cockroaches influence, exploit living clans

Strangely enough, we've seen robotic roaches in action before, but a new report focusing on nature's influence on mechanical creatures substantiates some of our worse fears. Apparently, a team of researchers led by Jose Halloy of the University Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium crafted "cockroach-sized robots that interacted with their living counterparts." The critters themselves did not actually resemble cockroaches, but they were doused with chemicals to mimic the authentic aroma; subsequently, these autonomous pests were able to persuade a clan of real roaches to choose a poor (light) shelter over a dark alternative, sparking worry that humanoids may one day use these very tactics to lead us straight to our demise. On the real, the gurus behind the research are looking at the trials to "explore decision-making mechanisms in group-living animals," which when you think about, really isn't any less frightening.

[Image courtesy of ETHZ]

[Mia @ Nov 16th 2007 11:29AM]

This sounds like a great way to control pest population, and luckily humans have higher intelligence, free will, etc... which prevents our demise.So I really doubt throwing a scent on a metal robot will trick us therefore I don't think this is frightening.


http://thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/

[seoultrain @ Nov 16th 2007 12:20PM]

Then again, make a robot look convincingly like Charlize Theron, and half the population would blindly walk off a cliff for her/it.

[Rjay @ Nov 16th 2007 4:02PM]

"autonomous pests were able to persuade a clan of real roaches to choose a poor (light) shelter over a dark alternative.."

Great, but can it persuade them to stop eating my Raisin Bran.

[Ellianth @ Nov 16th 2007 5:55PM]

rjay, perhaps having roaches should persuade you to clean your house :P.

[Ed @ Nov 17th 2007 7:19AM]

Oh no I think you may be wrong on that. Have you seen mob mentality in action? Add a little fear to the mix and is does not take much to get a bunch of people to go in one direction. I can easily see a terminator type robot infiltrating a group of people and convincing them to go the wrong direction on purpose...

Plus a Charlize Theron robot could get a bunch of guys to do ANYTHING. I not only welcome our new Charlize Theron robotic overlords..... I pray for it to happen. Oh yeah.....

[hp540 @ Nov 16th 2007 11:31AM]

Please spare us the "I for one" jokes.

[Fenway Beer Man @ Nov 16th 2007 11:47AM]

I for one welcome our robotic cockroach ov-DO THE COCKROACH ROBOTS BLEND!?!?

[JosephMohmed @ Nov 16th 2007 12:13PM]

The cockroach is the only living creature capable of surviving the force of a Blendtec Blender. When Blendtec Blenders take over the world and destroy all humans, cockroaches will inherit the Earth.

[frozo @ Nov 16th 2007 12:33PM]

Thats a really cheap way of getting attention from the same over-used phrase that you're chastising.

[John @ Nov 16th 2007 11:33AM]

The robotic cockroaches however have yet to gain the trust of the dead cockroaches.

[jaalin @ Nov 16th 2007 11:36AM]

that's incredible... i wonder how far they can take this level of control

put your 4th foot in... take your 4th foot out... put your 4th foot in, and shake it all about~

[friendlyner @ Nov 16th 2007 11:50AM]

Day-o, Dayyyyyy-o

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 16th 2007 11:36AM]

I bet 20 Quatloons on the newcomer!

[Kizul Emeraldfire @ Nov 16th 2007 2:36PM]

I bet THIRTY Quatloos!

[ciscoguerrero @ Nov 16th 2007 11:43AM]

Well, in the future, if the robots smell nice and look like Six (from BSG) or 7-of-9 (from ST-VOY) then I shall follow them robots to my demise. No questions asked.

[L @ Nov 16th 2007 12:07PM]

Seven of nine was not a robot. WTF. Cyborg != robot.

[pixelslave @ Nov 16th 2007 11:48AM]

OMG, please robo-cockroach, please lead your bio counterpart to the cockroach-trap!

Now, I need a robo-mouse/rat to do exactly the same thing ...

[friendlyner @ Nov 16th 2007 11:52AM]

"No thanks, Mom. I'd rather make out with my Monroe-bot."

"Gee Mavis, that's an awful long way to go for making out..."

[jax sedrin @ Nov 16th 2007 11:59AM]

Finally, instead of one step closer to a Skynet, we're actually one step closer to a Screamer.

Where's Peter Weller when you need him?

[stardash @ Nov 16th 2007 12:01PM]

Will they survive nuclear fallout?

[Heffer @ Nov 16th 2007 12:07PM]

Too late. Californians are already following the Terminator.

[Rainier @ Nov 16th 2007 12:38PM]

Says the cockroach-sized robot to its living counterpart, "Come with me, if you want to live."

[wrabbit @ Nov 16th 2007 1:08PM]

"Careful, you got some bad cockroaches there."
"I'll cut you up! I'll cut you up real good!"
"Those are some bad cockroaches."

[Kilton @ Nov 16th 2007 1:45PM]

lol this just turned into a futurama quotefest - love it

[wrabbit @ Nov 16th 2007 3:44PM]

that was family guy. shame! shame on you! :)

[Julian Bond @ Nov 16th 2007 2:15PM]

These are not the cockroaches you are looking for.

[Unregistered @ Nov 16th 2007 11:22PM]

All your roaches are belong to us

[granny down east @ Nov 16th 2007 11:56PM]

Add some frickin' lasers.

[Maxx @ Nov 17th 2007 2:37AM]

I thought there would have been a Fifth Element cockroach spy joke by now.