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A lot of work has been done on creating tiny, insect-like
flying robots. Some work has also been done on
inserting
electrodes into insects so that they can be stimulated to
respond by, for example, flying. These projects are very
sophisticated and involve a lot of advanced technology.
My
invention differs from these in both respects.
Moths are notorious for flying around lights. In actual
fact,
they think they are flying in a straight line by always
keeping the moon on their left, but evolution has failed
to
equip them for proximal man-made light sources.
We should be able to exploit this evolutionary gaffe to
create a bluetooth-operable moth with excellent
dirigibility. All that is needed is:
(1) A large moth. Some of the hawkmoths would be
adequate in temperate climates. In the tropics, all
moths
are apparently the size of dinner plates.
(2) A small (very small) bluetooth receiver, connected to
a
series of (also very small) LEDs held on two (again very
small) wire frames
(3) A small tube of moth adhesive.
(4) For the kind-hearted, a tube of moth adhesive
remover.
The moth is released into a dimly-lit room, and the pilot
picks up the transmitter. By activating the appropriate
LEDs to the left and right of the moth, it should be
possible
to steer it quite accurately. I'm not sure how the
altitude
is controlled, but one thing at a time.
[link]
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I envisage a new parlour game. A large spider is kept
inside a round frame. Once the web is spun, the front
glass is removed and the bluetooth moth is directed into
the web. Basically a game of darts. Players take turns
guiding moths, by the rules of darts. |
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Expensive on moths, though. |
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//a small moth helmet// Our product development
team is recruiting - they may be in touch. |
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I'm just curious who figured out the moon thing. It seem like in that case moth would tend to fly in u shapped patterns: south as the moon rises, west (when the moon is south/overhead in the norhter hemisphere), then north as it was setting. That would cause the moths never to return ot the same location and eventually all migrate to the west coast adn out over the ocean. |
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In any case, it seems like for fine stearing you actually just want one light on the left that moves slightly forward to turn right or slightly back to turn left. With an LED on each side, it will go straightish when the left LED is lit and go into a crazy spin when the right LED is lit as it tries to get the "moon" on the left hand side. |
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// curious who figured out the moon
thing...would cause the moths never to return ot
the same location and eventually all migrate to
the west// |
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In fact, it's a little more complex. Different
moths behave differently, and at different times.
What they are doing, in essence, is using the
moon as a reference point to fly in a more-or-less
straight line, since that gives them the best
chance of finding a mate. Random flight would
mean that they risked re-covering the same
ground. |
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However, on any given flight, most moths try to
keep the moon at a constant angle, relative to
their direction of flight. |
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I don't know what happens if there's a bright light
on each side. It's possible that the moth's head
may explode. |
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