Cockroach Terminators

[dporter]

I saw and short article in Government Technology Oct 2006, I've copied part of it here

"Terminator"

"Researchers in France, Switzerland and Belgium hope to combat cockroaches with matchbox-sized robots that can mingle with roaches and influence their collective behavior. The machines are programmed to behave like insects and are even doused in pheromones that imitate roach scent, which roaches use to recognize each other.

The droid enters a roach habitat, interests the bugs via its motions and odor, and then lures them into a better-lit area. "

Then what? A robotic foot to stomp them? Seems like a lot of work just to lead them into the light.

They are also working on more complex droids that herd sheep and chickens.

Robotic Chicken herding and cockroach pied pipers the cutting edge of robotics.

[TheDuck]

I definitely saw an article once about a study conducted that concluded cats were carnivores. Really?! I'm so glad we spent the money to confirm that!! I was so on the fence as to whether they might be meat eaters.

However, the thought of teeny robots sneaking about and foiling the plans of household pests has always been an interesting one to me. A friend has told me he will pay me money to build a robot that chases flies. It doesn't kill them. Just constantly chases them until they die of exhaustion. He feels that would be more satisfying given the amount of grief they cause him by buzzing about and annoying him. I suggested his money was better spent on seeking help. :D

[wishnevsky]

everybody quotes azimov, but heinlein had a few ideas on robotics too.. And his seem to have been more on target. In "Door into Summer" the protag is a robotics engineer who makes his money by making simple robots that do one job at a time.. Cleaning windows, answering the phone, and so on..

Pest control would be a worthwhile goal. lots of peope die every year from pest spread diseases, starvation due to pest ruind food, and like that.. Cockroach killers? Fly zoomers... bring them on.

[TheDuck]

Actually, wishnevsky, you bring up a point I'm always thinking of. Rather than making a robot that does everything, special purpose robots seem far more useful. If we can focus on getting them to achieve a goal well, rather than almost achieving many goals I think we end up with stronger systems. Then those systems can be used in conjunction with each other resulting in a more robust, larger system.