CYBORG dragonflies complete flight tests

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A genetically modified cyborg dragonfly that can spy on anyone has successfully completed it first test flight.
Dubbed the DragonflEye, the half-insect, half-machine is fitted with a fingernail-sized backpack, powered by a solar panel and remotely controlled by an operator.
The dragonfly can be used for 'guided pollination' as well as surveillance missions that will see the tiny insects reach areas that other drones can't, according to researchers.

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Mr Wheeler said: 'In order to begin guidance of dragonflies, several key technologies needed to be developed.
'Howard Hughes Medical Institute focused on developing gene delivery methods specific to the dragonfly to make special 'steering' neurons sensitive to light.
'Draper developed a miniaturized backpack for autonomous navigation and a flexible optrode to control the modified neurons by guiding light around the dragonfly's tiny nerve cord.

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Other links to the story: DragonflyI Spy With My DragonflEye: Scientists 'Hack' Insect to Create Cyborg DroneThis Genetically-Modified Cyborg Dragonfly Is the Tiniest DroneGenetically modified Cyborg Dragonfly Drone - Utube Video.Links and Information Forum, please.Edited by Tanypteryx, : No reason given.Edited by Tanypteryx, : add new links

Added new links. End of days may be averted by Dragonfly Alien Saviors, so no worries!

Yep!This also puts us at the point where the technology has progressed far enough to finally try an experiment that I have been talking about for years.Mounting a miniature, high-resolution, high-speed video camera on a dragonfly's frons (nose). Having the capability to visually experience dragonfly flight during complex maneuvers would make for some incredible VR. High G turns, fights, chases, mating, mate guarding, territory patrol, mate searching, hovering , and feeding all have different flight patterns.Miniature cameras and circuitry are close to being available at reasonable prices. I can hardly wait.

If there is a secret research project involving similar technology then by definition we will not know. I guess there is nothing to stop that, other than a really pissed off entomologist.Why would you want to do that to my cool dragonfly flight film experiment?

Oh, ok.I suspect that by the time they get the cyborg control/spy technology perfected you or I would have a difficult time identifying a spy dragonfly from a natural dragonfly.I can tell you that swatting or netting dragonflies in the field is challenging even for experts. It is like trying to hit a tennis ball that can dodge and duck and fly out of range. Experts probably have batting averages <30%.I assume that people who prefer not to be spied on would be more effective at protecting their privacy by avoiding the internet and cell phones and not calling attention to themselves.Personally, I hope the Trump administration is paying close attention to what I have to say about them.