Lightest Brain Control Device Guides Bee Movement
Recent advancements in brain control technology have led Chinese researchers to develop the world’s lightest device capable of directing a bee’s movement. The device weighs only 74 milligrams, lighter than the nectar a bee carries. It is fixed on the bee’s back and connects directly to its brain through fine needles. Electrical signals transmitted by the device allow precise control over the bee’s flight and walking directions. This innovation opens new possibilities for insect-based robotic systems with applications in surveillance, disaster relief, and security operations.
Development and Design
The device was created by a research team at the Beijing Institute of Technology. It was published in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering in June 2025. The device uses ultra-thin flexible film circuits nearly as thin as an insect wing. Multiple microchips embedded in the film enable complex commands via infrared remote control. This design marks improvement over previous models, which were heavier and less flexible.
Functionality and Testing
The device sends electrical pulses to the bee’s brain through three fine needles. These pulses create artificial cues that guide the bee to turn, move forward, or reverse. Tests showed a 90% success rate in controlling bee movements. The technology also works on cockroaches, steering them along defined paths. However, variability in responses and insect fatigue remain challenges.
Advantages of Insect-Based Robotics
Bees naturally carry loads up to 80% of their body weight and fly distances of up to 5 kilometres. Using these natural abilities, the device enhances mobility, camouflage, and environmental adaptability. Insect-based robots offer stealth and endurance superior to synthetic drones. They are suited for covert reconnaissance, urban combat, counterterrorism, narcotics interdiction, and disaster relief.
Current Limitations and Future Prospects
The device requires a wired power source as batteries suitable for wireless use are too heavy for bees. Cockroaches showed fatigue after repeated use, and some body parts did not respond consistently. The research team plans to improve precision and repeatability by optimising stimulation signals. Further development aims to expand functionality, enabling better environmental perception and deployment in complex missions.
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