WIRED Staff
Gear

Cyborg Insects: Real Bugs Customized With Clockworks

Above you see a real beetle, lovingly implanted with clockwork watch parts. Mike Libby, of Insect Lab (no relation), got the idea in a typically serendipitous style: One day I found a dead intact beetle. I then located an old wristwatch, thinking of how the beetle also operated and looked like a little mechanical device […]

Above you see a real beetle, lovingly implanted with clockwork watch parts. Mike Libby, of Insect Lab (no relation), got the idea in a typically serendipitous style:

One day I found a dead intact beetle. I then located an old wristwatch, thinking of how the beetle also operated and looked like a little mechanical device and so decided to combine the two.

It seems so obvious, now we think about it. Mike's tiny sculptures range from spiders to dragonflies, with scorpions, hoppers and praying mantises coming on line soon. The cybugs are for sale, from around $350 (Paypal accepted). Apparently the "Beetles continue to be a big hit".

Now, make these things remote controlled and we're in.

Product page [Insect Lab via BoingBoing and Watchismo Times]