Robo-Roaches

The New York Times is reporting that tiny robots-masquerading-as-cockroaches (achieved by covering the robots with roach sex hormones) were able to lead real cockroaches to act against their instincts. From the article:

"They set up a cockroach arena one yard in diameter. Two six-inch-wide plastic discs were suspended over it, providing the dark shelters that cockroaches prefer to congregate in. But one disc was darker and a more likely cockroach hangout.

When 16 cockroaches were placed in the arena, they naturally gravitated toward the darker disc, following what the researchers believe is an internal calculation of the amount of light and the number of other roaches, finding comfort in company."

When the researchers placed the robo-roaches into the arena, they were able to lead the real roaches to congregate under the lighter shelter a majority of the time. The researchers hope to apply their findings to higher order animals, and also learn how swarms of robots might be able to be more efficient decision-makers.