Miniature robotic camera backpack shows how beetles see the world

After creating tiny sensor backpacks for bees, researchers from the University of Washington have built a more advanced model for beetles. Dubbed "a GoPro for beetles," the robotic backpacks carry a tiny steerable camera that can stream video at 1 to 5 fps and pivot up to 60 degrees. On top of getting an interesting bugs-eye view of the world, the devices could power future biological studies and allow us to "explore novel environments," according to the team. The backpack was designed to be carried by two species: A "death-feigning" beetle and Pinacate beetle. Both of those have been observed carrying up to half a gram at a time.