Cyborgs In the Military

In the military

Military organizations' research has recently focused on the utilisation of cyborg animals for the purposes of a supposed tactical advantage. DARPA has announced its interest in developing "cyborg insects" to transmit data from sensors implanted into the insect during the pupal stage. The insect's motion would be controlled from a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) and could conceivably survey an environment or detect explosives and gas.^[24] Similarly, DARPA is developing a neural implant to remotely control the movement of sharks. The shark's unique senses would then be exploited to provide data feedback in relation to enemy ship movement or underwater explosives.^[25]

In 2006, researchers at Cornell University invented^[26] a new surgical procedure to implant artificial structures into insects during their metamorphic development.^[27][28] The first insect cyborgs, moths with integrated electronics in their thorax, were demonstrated by the same researchers.^[29][30] The initial success of the techniques has resulted in increased research and the creation of a program called Hybrid-Insect-MEMS, HI-MEMS. Its goal, according to DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office, is to develop "tightly coupled machine-insect interfaces by placing micro-mechanical systems inside the insects during the early stages of metamorphosis".^[31]

In 2009 at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Micro-electronic mechanical systems (MEMS) conference in Italy, researchers demonstrated the first "wireless" flying-beetle cyborg.^[32] Engineers at the University of California atBerkeley have pioneered the design of a "remote controlled beetle", funded by the DARPA HI-MEMS Program. Filmed evidence of this can be viewed here.^[33] This was followed later that year by the demonstration of wireless control of a "lift-assisted" moth-cyborg.^[34]

Eventually researchers plan to develop HI-MEMS for dragonflies, bees, rats and pigeons.^[35][36] For the HI-MEMS cybernetic bug to be considered a success, it must fly 100 meters from a starting point, guided via computer into a controlled landing within 5 meters of a specific end point. Once landed, the cybernetic bug must remain in place.^[35]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyborg