A project aimed at creating cyborg cockroaches is being launched at the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh. The insects are controlled via a mobile phone. The cyborg insect is created by attaching a backpack that communicates directly with neurons in the cockroach’s antennae. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22786371  The neurons convey information back to the insect’s brain using electricity. The cockroach needs to undergo “short surgery under anaesthetic” in order to have wires placed inside the antennae. Then the backpack can be placed on the insect and its movements controlled via a mobile phone or other device.The backpack communicates directly with neurons in the cockroach’s antennae, allowing users to set the direction in which the insect moves.

“We are pretty certain that this doesn’t impose pain on the insect and they still have free will because they adapt very quickly and ignore the stimulation,”