As some of you may know, we’re in the process of building a robot. We’ve encountered our fair share of problems so far, specifically with regards to getting the damn thing to move. So I was particularly interested to read about graduate student Garnet Hertz and his solution for robotic movement:

He uses the Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa, which can grow as big as a mouse. In the summer of 2004, he built a three-wheeled cart that rises about knee high. Atop the aluminum structure sits a modified computer trackball pointer, with a Ping-Pong ball in place of the usual trackball, which is heavier.

The roach–he currently maintains a stable of four–rides on top of the trackball. As it scampers, the robot moves in the direction the roach would travel if it were on the ground; a Velcro patch and harness keep it in place.

Quite an interesting approach! I guess the “robo-roach” could be seen as something of a glimpse into the future, where we might have hybrid biological and mechanical robots. I am not sure I would have picked roaches though – I wouldn’t want to have to look after them just for the robot!

Read: CNET News.com