Latest news with #RescueMissions
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Chinese scientists create a buzz with 'cyborg bees' that can double as spies or rescuers
'Cyborg' bees that are controlled by humans could be used in rescue missions - or even as buzzing secret agents, researchers suggest. The predictions come after Chinese scientists successfully inserted tiny devices on to the backs of worker bees that connect to their brains through small needles. Weighing less than a pinch of salt, the control devices allow the bees to be manipulated to follow instructions. In tests the device worked nine times out of 10 and the bees obeyed the instructions to turn left or right, the researchers said. They say the cyborg bees could be used to help save people – or in covert operations as military scouts. The tiny device can be equipped with cameras, listening devices and sensors that allow the insects to collect and record information. Given their small size they could also be used for discreet military or security operations, such as accessing small spaces without arousing suspicion. Zhao Jieliang, a professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, led the development of the technology. It works by delivering electrical pulses to the insect's optical lobe – the visual processing center in the brain – which then allows researchers to direct its flight. The study was recently published in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, and was first reported by the South China Morning Post. 'Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts,' Professor Zhao and his colleagues wrote. 'Compared to synthetic alternatives, they demonstrate enhanced stealth and extended operational endurance, making them invaluable for covert reconnaissance in scenarios such as urban combat, counterterrorism and narcotics interdiction, as well as critical disaster relief operations.' Several other countries, including the U.S. and Japan, are also racing to create cyborg insects. While Professor Zhao's team has made great strides in advancing the technology, several hurdles still remain. For one, the current batteries aren't able to last very long, but any larger would mean the packs are too heavy for the bees to carry. The same device cannot easily be used on different insects as each responds to signals on different parts of their bodies. Before this, the lightest cyborg controller came from Singapore and was triple the weight. It also follows the creation of cyborg dragonflies and cockroaches, with researchers across the world racing to develop the most advanced technology. Scientists in Japan have previously reported a remote-controlled cockroach that wears a solar-powered 'backpack.' The cockroach is intended to enter hazardous areas, monitor the environment or undertake search and rescue missions without needing to be recharged. The cockroaches are still alive, but wires attached to their two 'cerci' - sensory organs on the end of their abdomens - send electrical impulses that cause the insect to move right or left. In November 2014, researchers at North Carolina State University fitted cockroaches with electrical backpacks complete with tiny microphones capable of detecting faint sounds. The idea is that cyborg cockroaches, or 'biobots', could enter crumpled buildings hit by earthquakes, for example, and help emergency workers find survivors. 'In a collapsed building, sound is the best way to find survivors,' said Alper Bozkurt, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at North Carolina State University. 'The goal is to use the biobots with high-resolution microphones to differentiate between sounds that matter - like people calling for help - from sounds that don't matter - like a leaking pipe. 'Once we've identified sounds that matter, we can use the biobots equipped with microphone arrays to zero-in on where those sounds are coming from.' The 'backpacks' control the robo-roach's movements because they are wired to the insect's cerci - sensory organs that cockroaches usually use to feel if their abdomens brush against something. By electrically stimulating the cerci, cockroaches can be prompted to move in a certain direction. In fact, they have been programmed to seek out sound. One type of 'backpack' is equipped with an array of three directional microphones to detect the direction of the sound and steer the biobot in the right direction towards it. Another type is fitted with a single microphone to capture sound from any direction, which can be wirelessly transmitted, perhaps in the future to emergency workers. They 'worked well' in lab tests and the experts have developed technology that can be used as an 'invisible fence' to keep the biobots in a certain area such as a disaster area, the researchers announced at the IEEE Sensors 2014 conference in Valencia, Spain.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Allthenticate Creates World's First User-Centric Identity Backup Mechanism
Lost your phone? Simply reach out to trusted contacts to securely and instantly recover your credentials. HOUSTON, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Losing access to all of your online accounts is a nightmare scenario. Allthenticate, a Houston-based cybersecurity company, is debuting Rescue Missions, a recovery mechanism that lets users backup their credentials on the phones of their friends and family, ensuring that their identities are safe, their login credentials are never lost, and their security is in the hands of the people that they personally trust. Backed by Rescue Missions, Allthenticate turns smartphones into powerful, all-in-one authentication devices that allow users to login to everything securely and without the need to remember anything (except for the phone). Gone are the days of forgotten passwords and credential-theft-related breaches. The only attacks left for criminals are to either physically steal the phone and the user's biometrics or to successfully fool a majority of their closest friends that they are the victim. Thanks to hardware-backed security mechanisms, even malware is rendered ineffective – effectively eliminating the #1 attack vector, credential-theft. In 2024 alone, over 1.1 million identity theft cases were reported in the U.S., and 5.5 billion user accounts were exposed globally due to credential leaks. Nearly 86% of breaches involved attackers using stolen credentials — not breaking in, but simply logging in. "Your critical security keys should be in your possession at all times, in your phone; not in someone else's vulnerable cloud," said Dr. Chad Spensky, CEO of Allthenticate. "Rescue Missions lets users leverage the human trust network they already have to create the most secure, natural, and resilient backup scheme the world has ever seen." "Most companies are thinking too small and are only concerned about individual attack vectors (e.g., phishing, multi-factor authentication, or IT helpdesk attacks)," Dr. Spensky added. "After decades of research, we were able to design a system that eliminates the credential-theft at its core, not just a single attack vector." Enterprises are slashing millions in IT costs while securing identities. Join them with Allthenticate's Rescue Missions at follow us on LinkedIn or X to stay updated, or contact sales@ for more information. About Allthenticate Allthenticate is a cybersecurity company that builds the world's best authentication products. Allthenticate empowers users and enterprises to control their digital identities — securely, simply, and on their terms. Media ContactDevin FinchDirector of MarketingAllthenticatedevin@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Allthenticate Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
