美國北卡羅來納州立大學(NCSU)的研究人員們開發(fā)出一種利用Xbox Kinect 遙控蟑螂進行搜救任務的方法──透過將電極連接到蟑螂的觸角上，就能夠遙控蟑螂沿著設定路線自動前進。 北卡羅萊納州立大學的研究人員將在今年七月舉行的《IEEE遙控昆蟲生物機器人研討會》(Remote Controlled Insect Biobots Minisymposium)發(fā)表這項研究的最新進展。研究人員們指出，蟑螂比起大型且笨重的機器人更適合進行搜索與救援工作。透過將電極附加在蟑螂觸角上，并以脈沖引導其自動前進，NCSU的研究人員們宣稱目前已經能夠引導這些昆蟲大軍前往任何方向進行搜救。 根據IEEE解釋，“生物機器人” (Biobot)是指能以無線遙控的昆蟲以及其它動物。 “我們的目標在于引導這些蟑螂，讓他們以最有效率的路徑為救難人員迅速提供有關救援現(xiàn)場的完整情況，”北卡羅萊那州立大學教授Alper Bozkurt表示。 Bozkurt 與北卡羅萊納州立大學的研究人員們利用 Xbox Kinect 3D紅外測距儀追蹤蟑螂的運動，然后透過遙控器來引導其前進路線。信號之一傳送至昆蟲的腹部，使其迅速向前行進，而其它脈沖信號則傳送至昆蟲左右觸角使其 產生某個物體在前方的聯(lián)想，因而使其轉向朝該物體前進。透過將這些信號編程為實時反應的自主駕駛模式，該研究團隊能夠引導蟑螂自動沿著測試預定的路線前 進。

Source：Alper Bozkurtsb6esmc

根據北卡羅萊納州立大學的研究人員表示，未來還可為這些蟑螂加裝 MEMS 麥克風和揚聲器，使受難者能透過安裝在蟑螂身上的無線電收發(fā)器與搜救人員進行通信。 本文為《國際電子商情》原創(chuàng)，版權所有，謝絕轉載 編譯：Susan Hong 參考英文原文：Remote-Controlled Cockroaches Could Aid Search & Rescue，by R. Colin Johnson

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{pagination} Remote-Controlled Cockroaches Could Aid Search & Rescue R. Colin Johnson PORTLAND, Ore. — North Carolina State University (NCSU) researchers have developed a way to use cockroaches for search and rescue missions by attaching electrodes to their antennas. At next month's IEEE Remote Controlled Insect Biobots Minisymposium, NCSU researches will make the claim that cockroaches are better suited for search and rescue than big bulky robots. By attaching electrodes to the "scamper" reflex center and "steering" them with impulses to their antennae, the NCSU team claims to be able to guide the insect-sized search-and-rescue workers in any direction. Biobots are insects and other animals that are wirelessly remote controlled, according to the IEEE Remote Controlled Insect Biobots Minisymposium. "Our goal is to be able to guide these roaches, sending them on the most efficient routes to provide rescuers with a comprehensive view of the situation," said NCSU professor Alper Bozkurt. Bozkurt and colleagues at NCSU used a Kinect 3D infrared range finder to track the cockroaches' movements then guide them by remote control. One signal goes to the insect's abdomen, causing it to rush ahead, while separate impulses into either the left or right antenna make it think an object is there, thus turning it in the opposite direction. By programming these signals into an autopilot that reacts instantly, the team was able to guide the cockroaches around a line-following test course. The roaches could someday also be equipped with tiny MEMS microphones and speakers, according to NCSU, thus enabling victims to communicate with rescue workers through the cockroach-mounted radio transceiver. The Remote Controlled Insect Biobots Minisymposium at the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 2013 takes place July 3-7 in Osaka, Japan. Funding for the NCSU project was provided by the National Science Foundation.