From Cyborg Beetle to the Borg Queen

March 3rd, 2008

By GadgetManiac

The DARPA HI-MEMS project involves the demonstration of control over insect flight. One of the stated goals of the program is to use the insect as a platform for delivery of sensors to a distance of 100 meters with an accuracy of 5m.

Progress is being made. At the recent IEEE MEMS 2008 conference held in Tucson, a paper entitled `A cyborg beetle: Insect flight control through an implantable, tetherless microsystem` outlined the progress to date including some degree of left-right flight control.

While some might say that the next step of the program is likely to be something as mundanely untoward as the vectoring of micro-munitions via scarab beetle, the overwrought are certain that the ultimate goal is the assimilating yet not uncomely Borg Queen.