Innovate or die is a slogan that has gained widespread popularity in the business realm and other areas of human civilization.
This has been taken to the next realm after scientist designed a backpack that would be worn by beetles in an effort to save time digging in areas where no one has been left alive and allow rescuers to concentrate their efforts on survivors in case an earthquake occurs.
This qualifies as the world's smallest disaster squad to be created in the form of backpack-wearing beetles. The remote-controlled insects are fitted with tiny packs which can detect carbon dioxide within collapsed buildings.
According to scientists, they hope that the beetles could be sent in to areas after earthquakes or other disasters. The detectors would have the capability to alert those controlling the beetles to life amongst the rubble.
Theoretically speaking, they would lead them to whoever is generating the carbon dioxide and find victims. The thinking is that this will save time consumed in digging areas where no one has been left alive, and allow rescuers to concentrate their efforts on survivors.
The beetles were developed by scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The assistant Professor Hirotaka Sato, from NTU's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, said: "In the aftermath of a disaster, many survivors remain buried and the rescue teams are often not clear which sites they should comb.”
"We need tools that can get through small spaces to help them find missing people." The tiny computer is attached to the darkling beetles using beeswax. The computer has capabilities to send electrical pulses to the insect's antennae which steers them.
The team hopes that the sensors will detect carbon dioxide, temperature and the vibration from heartbeats. Unfortunately, not everyone is receptive to the idea. Critics are against the idea on the grounds that its animal torture, they believe only mechanical robots should be used. In response, scientists say they are well cared for, and when not being controlled can live normally.