Creepy cockroaches’ nervous system being used to prevent midair collisions

The instinct that makes cockroaches creepy is being used to develop safer aircraft.

Researchers have copied the bug's nervous system to develop intuitive sensors that can prevent mid-air collisions.

The cockroach works like a tiny robot, constantly analysing its surroundings and reacting instinctively to possible threats.

As a result, the insect scuttles around on automatic pilot. The data it receives triggers the correct evasive action automatically.

Fred Lisy, chief executive of the US micro-sensor company Orbital Research, which is testing a system based on the cockroach on unmanned aircraft, said: "This is reflexive decision- making; the data does not have to go through the brain before a manoeuvre is made."

The basis of the new collision avoidance system is a computer model derived directly from the cockroach.

Information for the programme was obtained by placing electrodes on cockroaches and mapping their escape response.

By combining the program with ultrasonic sensors, Orbital produced a radio-controlled model car that stopped itself crashing by braking, accelerating or turning even when directed straight at an object.

Originally, the idea was to use the system in unmanned cars. But it was soon realised that the technology could also be fitted to airliners.

Lisy told The Engineer magazine, which broke the news "The cockroach uses its back legs for thrust, its side ones for stability, and its front for steering, just like a plane.

"Pilots sometimes don't see other planes until it is too late, or their reactions are too slow. This system would flag an alert to a possible problem.

If the pilot failed to react, the reflexive system would kick in," he said.

He acknowledged it might be hard for people to accept pilot-less passenger aircraft that rely on computers and automatic collision avoidance.

"We are therefore working to ensure there are no false positives," he added. The company has also received funding from the United States Air Force to develop a reverse version of the system for air-to-air missiles.

It would allow a missile fired by a fighter to react to evasive movements by its target, ensuring a direct hit.