A group of NC State University scientists developed biobots that pick up and seek out sounds via a mini microphone.<\/p>\n
If you're trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building, the last thing you want to see is a swarm of cockroaches headed your way. But thanks to a group of North Carolina State University researchers, those creepy crawlies could just save your life. <\/p>\n
The scientists have developed a technology allowing cyborg cockroaches, or biobots, to pick up and seek out sounds with a miniscule microphone, meant to help emergency personnel in the aftermath of a disaster. <\/p>\n
Led by Dr. Alper Bozkurt, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State, the project equips biobots with one of two electronic backpacks about the size of a quarter, which control the roach's movements. <\/p>\n
\"The goal is to use the biobots with high-resolution microphones to differentiate between sounds that matterlike people calling for helpfrom sounds that don't matterlike a leaking pipe,\" Bozkurt said. \"Once we've identified sounds that matter, we can use the biobots equipped with microphone arrays to zero in on where those sounds are coming from.\" <\/p>\n
One type carries a single microphone to capture relatively high-resolution sound for any direction, which is then wirelessly transmitted to first responders. The other comes with three directional mics, detecting the direction of the sound. <\/p>\n
The research team is then able to analyze the sounds, localize the source, and steer the biobots into that direction. <\/p>\n
\"In a collapsed building, sound is the best way to find survivors,\" Dr. Alper Bozkurt, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State, said in a statement. <\/p>\n
With the help of fellow NC State assistant professor Dr. Edgar Lobaton and Dr. Mihail Sichitiu, Bozkurt's team also developed a sort of invisible fence to keep biobots within range of each other at a disaster site. It also allows users to steer the roaches toward light sources to recharge the solar panels on their backpacks. <\/p>\n
Watch the biobots in action in the video below. <\/p>\n
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Cyborg Cockroaches Could Save Your Life<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A group of NC State University scientists developed biobots that pick up and seek out sounds via a mini microphone. Continue reading