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.
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Maybe the ultimate goal is to create a self-navigated jet-pack-type device for human beings. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind a Borg Queen, though.
They should also devise some robotic fly-swatters, just in case these things ever got out of control.