What did they do?
A team from Tokyo University got
male silk moths to drive robotic cars
towards the source of sex pheromones
produced by a female. The moths were
tethered to a treadmill linked to optical
sensors that tracked their movements
and steered the vehicle.Why did they do that?
The scientists hope that the research
will eventually lead to the development
of biomimetic robots that can sniff
out odours and locate their sources.
Such robots could replace dogs
and other animals used for detecting
explosives or drugs.What did they find?
The moth drivers passed the test
with flying colours, taking just two
seconds longer than free-walking
moths in finding the source of the scent.
Though like most of us, they picked
up a few minor faults.MOTHS TAUGHT
TO DRIVE CARS
THEY DID WHAT?!We wonder where
Boeing got its
inspiration from...?
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