Column Pieter Vos: The human factor

Recently, insects have often been in the news as a source of protein; to feed a growing world population. But recently I stumbled across another application: the cyborg insect. 

Back in 2012, the first reports of 'remote-controlled cockroaches' appeared in the media. This could be done by placing two electrodes in its head. A cockroach turned out to be cheaper than a mini-robot. Unlike robots, cockroaches have senses to orientate themselves and feed themselves. Because the cockroach drives its movement, its range is considerably greater than a robot could have. Wondering whether it is ethically okay? Good question.

Anyway; clever scientists bit into the idea and perfected it. In the first versions, the electrodes and batteries were still relatively heavy, the results were disappointing. By 2015, the success rate had risen to 60% and by 2021 it was 94%. Good work is being done with them: the remote-controlled insects are used, for example, in searches for survivors in disasters. But also for intelligence work. And weapons deployment.

A computer reads thousands of data per second at lightning speed, and makes logical decisions based on that data. Self-learning robots deploy smart algorithms to understand complex processes and make them more efficient. But remember who is behind it; that without human creativity, imagination and a lot of talent those computers and robots would never have been conceived and made. Our brains process an incredible amount of data every moment and from that continuous stream of information we flawlessly select what is relevant and what is not. Our brains are 'made in heaven'... although the solutions some people come up with are not always like that.

However brilliant computers and robots are (made), we must always continue to think, analyse and communicate ourselves. The validation of whether something is possible and a right decision lies with the human being; within ourselves.

Pieter Vos
Director Nutrilab