View source for Hybrid Insect Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems

{{Short description|United States government project}}
{{Update|date=October 2021}}
'''Hybrid Insect Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (HI-MEMS)''' is a project of [[DARPA]], a unit of the United States Department of Defense.   Created in 2006, the unit's goal is the creation of tightly coupled [[machine]]-[[insect]] interfaces by placing micro-mechanical systems inside the insects during the early stages of [[metamorphosis]].<ref name="idstch">{{cite web | url = https://idstch.com/technology/electronics/darpas-hi-mems-hybrid-insect-micro-electro-mechanical-systems-created-cyborg-insects-military-micro-air-vehicles-missions/ | title = DARPA's HI-MEMS (Hybrid Insect Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) Created Cyborg Insects for Military Micro Air Vehicles Missions | last = Uppal | first = Rajesh | date = 1 May 2019 | accessdate = 9 June 2020 | work = International Defence, Security & Technology}}</ref>    After implantation, the "insect cyborgs" could be controlled by sending electrical impulses to their muscles.<ref name="time">{{cite news|url = http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1732226,00.html | date = 18 April 2008 | accessdate = 9 June 2020 | last = Thompson | first = Mark | work = Time Magazine | title = Unleashing the Bugs of War}}</ref>    The primary application is [[surveillance]].  The project was created with the ultimate goal of delivering an insect within 5 meters of a target located 100 meters away from its starting point.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4808342.stm | work = BBC America | title = Pentagon plans cyber-insect army | last = Kitchener | first = Gary | date = 16 March 2006 | accessdate = 9 June 2020}}</ref>  In 2008, a team from the University of Michigan demonstrated a cyborg [[unicorn beetle]] at an academic conference in Tucson, Arizona.  The beetle was able to take off and land, turn left or right, and demonstrate other flight behaviors.<ref name="technovelgy">{{cite web | url = http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=1420 | title = HI-MEMS: Cyborg Beetle Microsystem | last = Christensen | first = Bill | work = Technovelgy.com | date = 27 January 2008 | accessdate = 9 June 2020 }}</ref>  Researchers at [[Cornell University]] demonstrated the successful implantation of electronic probes into [[tobacco hornworm]]s in the pupal stage.<ref name="technovelgy2">{{cite web | url = http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=1421 | title = HI-MEMS: Control Circuits Embedded in Pupal Stage Successfully | last = Christensen | first = Bill | work = Technovelgy.com | date = 27 January 2008 | accessdate = 9 June 2020}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
*{{Cite web|url=http://www.darpa.gov/mto/programs/himems/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008203450/http://www.darpa.gov/mto/programs/himems/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2007|title=HI-MEMS - Programs - Microsystems Technology Office|date=October 8, 2007}}
*{{Cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/08/AR2007100801434.html|title=Dragonfly or Insect Spy? Scientists at Work on Robobugs.|date=October 9, 2007|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}
*{{Cite web|url=https://patentvector.com/?p=23|title=Patent Vector|website=patentvector.com}}
[[Category:Microtechnology]]
[[Category:DARPA]]
[[Category:Research projects]]
[[Category:Surveillance]]
[[Category:Cyborgs]]
[[Category:Micro air vehicles]]
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