OK, this is just too cool. Check out the Cockroach Controlled Mobile Robot!
I think I just found a way to replace our entire robot drive team! (no big deal, they are graduating anyway!) 
-dave
Thatās cool. Their (roaches) legs are strong.
Edit: Now Iām thinking about the HEX Bugā¦
Congrats to all the Seniors!
Jane
Thatās what next years game is going to be!
That is awesome! That is probably going to lead into some interesting future drive contorl systems. Think about it, just walk forward, and the whole robot does the same thing! Only on a virtual plane though, like what the cockroach was technically on.
hmmmā¦I should try that, take apart a computer mouse and train a cockroach or an insect of your choice
ANTS!!!
dunno why, but this makes me think of herding cats.
I have great respect for ants but driving a robot, although they are great at moving things right along - crumbs, leaves, dirtā¦
That is what the autonomous is going to be next year.
NOBODY knows quite what will happen there.
Teams could even be allowed to train their own cockroachesā¦
This is exciting; more doors are opening and expanding our horizon.
I was thinking: in a sense, these kinds of things are probably the most intimidating parts to rookie/teams that are thinking about forming.
This is where we encourage and inspire them the most, to be creative and innovative, and have fun all at the same time. You really couldnāt ask for a better introduction to robots and engineering.
*I wonder what would happen if your trained insects got away??
*While packing for a competition: āMake sure you donāt forget the extra cockroaches.ā (HEHEā¦I like the sound of that oneā¦not so sure I would want to be the one in charge of those though.:D)
So Dave,
does this mean the 2008 Controller is going to be cockroach powered??
If only the roaches could actually think and strategize for themselves. Then FIRST could start a new event the FCRC, FIRST Cockroach Robotics Competition. And, can roaches where safety glasses
Better than freshmanā¦
OK OK Donāt get all worked up. It was just a joke.
But this is really cool. I would like to see this implemented into FIRST somehow.
Jacob