Most people associate locusts with biblical-style plagues or a noisy summertime nuisance.
But Ph.D. student Jeff Dawson considers them harmless and even helpful insects, and has harnessed their biomechanics to guide a vehicle. Recently Dawson decided to implant a few of those nice insects with electrodes, so that he could attach them to a robotic cart and see if their wing motions could be used to steer the vehicle. Dawson then contacted friend and hacker Ron Harding, who works as a programmer for Research In Motion and tinkers in electronics, antique computers, and sometimes builds potato cannons. Harding purchased some electronic parts and prepped a few circuit boards for their weekend project. When the big day arrived, Dawson brought along a robotics kit he'd purchased online, a bucket of live locusts, and his electrode-implanting equipment.