The British newspaper Daily Mail has a story about some very hi-tech uses for modifying bugs to help search for victims of earthquakes and other natural disasters. After reading about the miniaturized listening devices and motion detectors and power supplies being applied to various insects to allow them to fly into areas where rescue teams cannot go, I was immediately impressed with how easily this could be changed to permit spying by a covert government agency. The old expression about the "fly on the wall" takes on a new meaning. The article is straightforward in its description of the life-saving uses but every good idea can often be turned into a tool for evil.
Don't tread on me, I'm a hi-tech life-saver! Insects could be used to help find survivors during disaster rescue operations
By Rob Cooper
Last updated at 9:35 PM on 26th December 2011
Flying insects fitted with tiny cameras and microphones could be used to search for earthquake survivors during rescue operations, scientists have said.
The tiny devices will power themselves by harnessing power from wing movements.
By converting kinetic energy into electricity, the device could have a lasting power source.
Cyborg insect: This green june beetle is fitted with a tiny motion generator to produce electricity. This could be used to power a camera and a microphone
Professor Khalil Najafi and an engineering student are developing the technology to 'scavenge' electricity from the body at the University of Michigan.
The project is being paid for by the government-run Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Read the rest along with additional pictures here:
With our ever-vigilant Homeland Security now using (supposedly unarmed) Predator drones within America to search out terrorists anyone can only guess what their next step will be. And we all know by now what groups have been identified as potential domestic terrorists. Us!
I wonder if the 2nd Amendment protects our right to own a fly swatter?
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