China building massive army of cyborgs

China unveils remote-controlled cyborg bee with lightweight brain chip

Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology have built the world’s lightest insect brain controller, enabling full remote control over a live bee’s movements. Weighing just 74 milligrams, lighter than the nectar loads bees typically carry, the device represents a major advancement in cyborg technology.

The controller, mounted on the bee’s back, pierces the insect’s brain using three ultra-fine needles and delivers targeted electronic pulses. These pulses simulate sensory input, effectively guiding the insect to turn, advance, or retreat. In controlled tests, the bees responded to commands with a 90 per cent success rate.


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According to the team’s peer-reviewed study published in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering on June 11, the cyborg bee holds potential applications in disaster relief and military operations.

“Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts,” wrote Professor Zhao Jieliang and colleagues. “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.”

Cyborg bee outperforms earlier insect controllers

Previous efforts in cyborg technology produced heavier controllers for slower insects. A prior model developed in Singapore, which controlled beetles and cockroaches, weighed three times more than the new Chinese system. Those insects could crawl but suffered from fatigue and had limited range.

In contrast, bees offer longer endurance and higher mobility. Capable of flying up to 5 kilometers without rest and carrying payloads equivalent to 80 per cent of their body weight, bees are well-suited for such applications.

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Zhao’s team constructed their controller by printing microelectronic circuits on polymer film. The film, as thin and flexible as insect wings, contains numerous components including an infrared receiver.

The system was tested using nine distinct pulse settings. Researchers first analyzed bee wing movement and cockroach turning behavior, then matched electrical signals to corresponding motor responses. As a result, they achieved high-precision control: bees banked in flight while cockroaches followed straight paths with minimal deviation.

However, limitations persist. Bees currently require wired power, and cockroaches show signs of fatigue after 10 pulses. Additionally, the same signal may provoke inconsistent responses across insect species.

China advances in cyborg tech race amid global competition

The development marks a significant milestone in China’s push to dominate cyborg robotics. Historically, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) led the field, with Japan making substantial progress as well. China’s recent advancements, however, signal a shift.

Backed by robust state investment and a growing electronics manufacturing base, Chinese research institutions are setting new records in lightweight cyborg hardware.

Despite the breakthrough, technical challenges remain. A long-lasting battery still weighs around 600 milligrams, far too heavy for bee flight. Additionally, the current device cannot control leg or belly movement, limiting functionality.

“In future research, precision and repeatability of insect behaviour control will be enhanced by optimising stimulation signals and control techniques,” Zhao’s team wrote. “Concurrently expanding functional modules of the control backpack will improve environmental perception capabilities of insect-based robots, advancing their deployment in complex operational settings such as reconnaissance and detection missions.”

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The next phase of development will likely focus on reducing power consumption, enhancing signal precision, and integrating environmental sensors to expand operational capabilities.