Hybrid Insect Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems

Hybrid Insect Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (HI-MEMS) is a project of DARPA, a unit of the United States Department of Defense. Created in 2006, the unit's goal is the creation of tightly coupled machine-insect interfaces by placing micro-mechanical systems inside the insects during the early stages of metamorphosis.^[1] After implantation, the "insect cyborgs" could be controlled by sending electrical impulses to their muscles.^[2] The primary application is surveillance. The project was created with the ultimate goal of delivering an insect within 5 meters of a target located 100 meters away from its starting point.^[3] In 2008, a team from the University of Michigan demonstrated a cyborg unicorn beetle at an academic conference in Tucson, Arizona. The beetle was able to take off and land, turn left or right, and demonstrate other flight behaviors.^[4] Researchers at Cornell University demonstrated the successful implantation of electronic probes into tobacco hornworms in the pupal stage.^[5]

References

• "HI-MEMS - Programs - Microsystems Technology Office". October 8, 2007. http://www.darpa.gov/mto/programs/himems/index.html. 
• "Dragonfly or Insect Spy? Scientists at Work on Robobugs.". October 9, 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/08/AR2007100801434.html. 
• "Patent Vector". https://patentvector.com/?p=23.