According to machine learning and AI scientists – robot insects will swarm our skies. One of them is Robofly, an insect-sized, wireless robot able to fly, walk and drift on surfaces. It is inspired fully by nature – meaning, if you saw this robot next to a real fly, you wouldn’t tell the difference.
It even has a kind of motherboard “brain” allowing it to decide (yes, on its own) when to flap. No charging is required because it takes its energy using a small solar panel. A fully independent robot.
Nothing could possibly go wrong here, right?
It doesn’t stop there. After optimizing the mimic of the fly, its inventor went on to create a robot bee.
These tiny robots could be used for various noble means, especially those which involve getting into hard-to-reach places. For example, checking dangerous industrial equipment or helping locate disaster victims. Or, working as environmental recorders – sniffing out fires or chemical leaks.
As exciting as these tiny robots are, and as useful as they could become in some situations, there is also a big risk. A shady side.
“While robot insects are on their way, real insects can be harder to come by” says the host from Seeker channel on YouTube.
Quite a scary statement to hear. We should ask ourselves why we are trying to replicate nature, instead of preserving it? Do we really want to live in a robot-invaded environment, instead of one with real insects? How will this affect the ecosystem? Insects are found at the bottom of the food chain, so after being accidentally devoured by animals, robot insects could cause the extinction of many species, and… end up on our plate.
Microchips aren’t exactly our idea of a snack.
As we mentioned in previous articles, like this one about the 6th mass extinction, if we don’t start living in alignment with nature many species will die out. Since humans are part of the ecosystem, any changes in biodiversity affect us directly. That includes replacing natural habitat with concrete cities, or animals (including insects) with robots.
We have recently stepped into a new age of Aquarius, where technology plays a big role. But not just technology – also control and surveillance. You may be noticing some changes in the world taking place already. Increased monitoring of citizens in China, especially the not-so-welcome over there Muslim minorities. As far off as this global giant may seem geographically and politically, we should definitely keep our awareness tuned!
The tiny flying drones have a busy agenda to fill. Not only will be they be assisting medical workers during disaster missions, but robotic insects will also be used by the army and CIA. Some models can easily pack a lethal punch, are equipped with an array of weapons and sensors. Think, electroshocks weapons, video cameras, and listening devices. Sounds like we are beginning to live in a “Black Mirror” reality.
Of course, that’s only if these spy robots fall in the wrong hands.
Is it really worth the risk?
Our vision at The Conscious Club is to help humanity live in a natural, healthy environment. Technology is important, but end-in-end, humans are mammals that thrive best in nature, not in concrete infrastructures deprived of plant life and invaded by robots. Refusing to maintain a green environment (which involves leading a conscious lifestyle) and replacing nature with gadgets, will eventually lead us to major health issues.
There are actions you can take to preserve REAL insects:
Make your surroundings as green as possible. Plant native shrubs and flowers. Try to avoid plants that require lots of fertilizer and water.
Don’t buy flowers that have double blooms, because insects have problems with accessing their nectar. Their mouthparts are simply not adapted…
Try to avoid bug zappers – like the plugin electric ones, and sprays. They are very damaging to all insect biodiversity, while not really doing their job with mosquitoes. Instead, rub lovely-smelling essentials oils on your skin, like tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, thyme…
Don’t use pesticides and artificial fertilizers! Instead, replace them with compost from the kitchen which works wonders with plants (consider set up that worm hotel. If you want to get rid of pests you can use natural repellents, such as soapy water, neem oil spray, pyrethrum spray, or even… the good, old beer.
Leave some spots in your garden with natural ground covers, like dried leaves during autumn.
Replace natural cotton products with organic cotton. That’s because cultivating regular cotton requires a mass of pesticides, which kills bees and other insects.
And, if you agree that prioritizing artificial intelligence over saving nature is not ok, the best you can do is share this information. The more aware people will become, the greater the influence will be on building these robots. So, talk about it with your friends and family, on social media – everyone deserves to know what’s creeping ahead.
- Written by Michelle Prygiel
