Cyborg dragonfly spy takes to the sky: Researcher show off modified 'surveillance insect'

  • Strapped a backpack with electronics, sensors and solar cell to a live dragonfly
  • Controlled by pulses of light sent through backpack to neurons in its brain
  • Cyborg dragonfly can be used to guide pollination or explore dangerous zones

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

Operation DragonflEye is a go.

The program that set out to create a cyborg dragonfly has successful strapped a tiny backpack fitted with electronics, sensors and a solar cell to a live insect – and it has taken to the skies for its maiden flight.

The DragonflEye is controlled by pulses of light sent through the pack to specific neurons in its brain, allowing researchers to remotely operate the drone-like bug to guide pollination or explore areas unfit for humans.

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The program that set out to create a cyborg dragonfly has successful strapped a tiny backpack fitted with electronics, sensors and a solar cell to a live insect – and it has taken to the skies for its maiden flight

The program that set out to create a cyborg dragonfly has successful strapped a tiny backpack fitted with electronics, sensors and a solar cell to a live insect – and it has taken to the skies for its maiden flight

HOW WAS IT DONE? 

Engineers had to develop a way of genetically modifying the nervous system of the dragonfly so it can respond to pulses of light. 

To do this, the team gave the insect a gene which added light-sensitive proteins called ospins to the neurons. 

This then allowed the neurons to be activated by the light – sent by an interface in the 'backpack' called an optrode. 

The neurons then kicked into its usual routine of sending signals to the wings to encourage the insect to fly.

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The cyborg dragonfly was developed by researchers at Draper and Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Janelia Research Campus, which first unveiled the genetically modified insect in January.

'DragonflEye is a totally new kind of micro-aerial vehicle that's smaller, lighter and stealthier than anything else that's manmade,' said Jesse J. Wheeler, biomedical engineer at Draper and principal investigator on the program said earlier this year.

'This system pushes the boundaries of energy harvesting, motion sensing, algorithms, miniaturization and optogenetics, all in a system small enough for an insect to wear.'

The team designed the backpack to act as the middle ground between the insect and the human controller.

The optegentic tools send guidance commands through the fingernail-sized pack to special 'steering' neurons to the insect's brain.

The researchers began this project by first developing a way to genetically modifying the nervous system of the dragonfly so it would respond to pulses of light.

To do this, the team gave the insect a gene which added light-sensitive proteins, called ospins, to the neurons.

The DragonflEye is controlled by pulses of light sent through specific neurons in its brain
This allows researchers to remotely operate the drone-like bug to guide pollination or explore areas unfit for humans

The DragonflEye is controlled by pulses of light sent through specific neurons in its brain, allowing researchers to remotely operate the drone-like bug to guide pollination or explore areas unfit for humans

This allowed the neurons to be activated by the light – sent by an interface in the backpack called an optrode.

However, the researchers noted that the dragonfly's neurons are not affected nor damaged during the process, it just provides the tiny creature with the ability to fly farther and with more agility.

The team designed the backpack to act as the middle ground between the insect and the human controller. The optegentic tools send guidance commands through the fingernail-sized pack to special 'steering' neurons to the insect's brain

The team designed the backpack to act as the middle ground between the insect and the human controller. The optegentic tools send guidance commands through the fingernail-sized pack to special 'steering' neurons to the insect's brain

The researchers began this project by first developing a way to genetically modifying the nervous system of the dragonfly so it would respond to pulses of light. To do this, the team gave the insect a gene which added light-sensitive proteins, called ospins, to the neurons

The researchers began this project by first developing a way to genetically modifying the nervous system of the dragonfly so it would respond to pulses of light. To do this, the team gave the insect a gene which added light-sensitive proteins, called ospins, to the neurons

'Someday these same tools could advance medical treatments in humans, resulting in more effective therapies with fewer side effects,' said Wheeler.

'Our flexible optrode technology provides a new solution to enable miniaturized diagnostics, safely access smaller neural targets and deliver higher precision therapies.'

The neurons then kicked into its usual routine of sending signals to the wings to encourage the insect to fly.

Not only is this a breakthrough in technology, but the researchers believe the cyborg dragonfly will soon be used for guided pollination, reconnaissance and even precision medicine and diagnostics

Not only is this a breakthrough in technology, but the researchers believe the cyborg dragonfly will soon be used for guided pollination, reconnaissance and even precision medicine and diagnostics

The tiny solar panels were also strapped around the backpack harvest energy to power the drone-like system.

By adding this technique, instead of a battery, enables the dragon fly to not just fly farther and longer, but it can also carry additional payloads. 

Not only is this a breakthrough in technology, but the researchers believe the cyborg dragonfly will soon be used for guided pollination, reconnaissance and even precision medicine and diagnostics.

 

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