Using the turtle's natural fight-or-flight response, researchers in Korea have been able to manipulate it with human thought. This research could help develop search and rescue technology.
The new technology was created for an experiment, the results of which appeared in the journal Bionic Engineering. It is an interface that allows you to "connect" your brain to a computer using brain waves. A similar technology can be used to control robotics. In addition, it is planned to create an interface for reverse control.
How is control carried out
During the experiment, a camera was installed on the turtle's head, which provided communication with a person. The controller then had to think about which way the turtle would move (left, right, or inactive) based on what he saw through the camera. This thought was read by a computer and transmitted via Wi-Fi to a receiver mounted on the turtle's shell.
The receiver then controlled the device, which is essentially a semicircular shade. It was attached to the tortoise shell. This device could swing from side to side. If, for example, a human controller thought about moving to the right, the device swung to the left, and the animal instinctively moved to the right in order to try to bypass the perceived obstacle.
The researchers were then able to get the turtles to overcome simple obstacles. The first test was carried out indoors, while the other two were completed outside. Moreover, the person who controlled the turtle was at a distance of five kilometers from the animal.
Promotional video:
Why a turtle was used in the experiments
It might seem that the turtle is not the best choice, as researchers could use any creature from the animal kingdom to control it with thought. However, there are several reasons why this particular animal was chosen. The main one is that the turtle has a highly developed instinctive behavior such as escape, that is, it predictably tries to avoid objects that may be in its path, and moves towards light, which it perceives as open space.
Turtles were also chosen because they have a relatively high cognitive ability and are able to distinguish between different wavelengths of light. This seems to make them ideal subjects for super-experiments in mind control.
Invasive control methods
Researchers have already established how an animal can be controlled from a distance through the thinnest electrodes implanted in its brain. These experiments mostly focus on insects such as cockroaches, although there have been reports that some scientists have been able to control the flight of the pigeon. However, these control methods are invasive, and therefore scientists in the latest study aimed at an ethical approach.
They hope their work can help improve augmented reality, as well as create new applications for search and rescue, military surveillance and reconnaissance.