Japanese Researchers Create Remote Control for Cockroaches
2022-10-03
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1Most of the time, people are not happy to see cockroaches.
2The insect is known around the world as a pest - a creature that causes problems for people.
3However, the cockroach is a useful insect for research scientists.
4And they could one day be used to help find survivors after major earthquakes.
5Scientists in Japan have been working on a system that they can attach to the insects that permits remote control.
6Kenjiro Fukuda leads a team at the Thin-Film Device Laboratory at Riken, a company that does scientific research.
7The team created a thin solar cell they can attach to the body of a cockroach. It is thinner than a human hair.
8The cell permits the cockroach to move freely but it sends signals to organs that control the insect's legs.
9The scientists believe they can control the cockroaches from a long distance.
10This means they will be able to send the insects into a disaster area, such as a building destroyed by an earthquake.
11The small insects can get into places that humans and even rescue robots cannot reach.
12With the right equipment, they could be used to help find survivors stuck under broken pieces of buildings.
13The work advances a project done by scientists in Singapore.
14Fukoda said the problem with rescue robots is their batteries run out quickly.
15The insect, however, moves on its own.
16The battery only sends a signal that makes the cockroach move, so it lasts much longer.
17"The electricity required is nowhere near as much" as what is required for rescue robots, Fukoda said.
18The research team is using hissing cockroaches from Madagascar.
19Those cockroaches are big enough to carry the equipment and strong enough to get back on their feet if they fall over.
20Although the research is going well so far, the technology is not fully ready for use in the real world.
21For example, in a recent demonstration, the scientists sent signals to a cockroach that caused it to move to the left.
22However, the cockroach moved in circles when they sent a signal telling it to move right.
23The next step is to see if there are small cameras and sensors that can be placed on the cockroach's back.
24The team created the first test backpack using material purchased from an electronics market in Tokyo for only $35.
25Even if the thin solar cell is not able to be used in rescue missions, Fukoda said there could be a number of future uses.
26For example, the cells could be used in clothing to measure a person's health.
27The cells could also be added to an umbrella.
28Used in this way, the cells could help generate enough power to charge a mobile phone.
29I'm Dan Friedell.
1Most of the time, people are not happy to see cockroaches. The insect is known around the world as a pest - a creature that causes problems for people. 2However, the cockroach is a useful insect for research scientists. And they could one day be used to help find survivors after major earthquakes. 3Scientists in Japan have been working on a system that they can attach to the insects that permits remote control. 4Kenjiro Fukuda leads a team at the Thin-Film Device Laboratory at Riken, a company that does scientific research. The team created a thin solar cell they can attach to the body of a cockroach. It is thinner than a human hair. 5The cell permits the cockroach to move freely but it sends signals to organs that control the insect's legs. 6The scientists believe they can control the cockroaches from a long distance. This means they will be able to send the insects into a disaster area, such as a building destroyed by an earthquake. The small insects can get into places that humans and even rescue robots cannot reach. With the right equipment, they could be used to help find survivors stuck under broken pieces of buildings. 7The work advances a project done by scientists in Singapore. 8Fukoda said the problem with rescue robots is their batteries run out quickly. The insect, however, moves on its own. The battery only sends a signal that makes the cockroach move, so it lasts much longer. 9"The electricity required is nowhere near as much" as what is required for rescue robots, Fukoda said. 10The research team is using hissing cockroaches from Madagascar. Those cockroaches are big enough to carry the equipment and strong enough to get back on their feet if they fall over. 11Although the research is going well so far, the technology is not fully ready for use in the real world. For example, in a recent demonstration, the scientists sent signals to a cockroach that caused it to move to the left. However, the cockroach moved in circles when they sent a signal telling it to move right. 12The next step is to see if there are small cameras and sensors that can be placed on the cockroach's back. The team created the first test backpack using material purchased from an electronics market in Tokyo for only $35. 13Even if the thin solar cell is not able to be used in rescue missions, Fukoda said there could be a number of future uses. 14For example, the cells could be used in clothing to measure a person's health. The cells could also be added to an umbrella. Used in this way, the cells could help generate enough power to charge a mobile phone. 15I'm Dan Friedell. 16Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on a report by Reuters. 17_______________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19remote -adj. far away or distant 20umbrella -n. an item you hold that protects you from the rain and sun 21_______________________________________________________________________ 22We want to hear from you. Do you think the scientists will make the remote control work for the cockroaches? 23We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 24Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.