In August 2007 a group of scientists at
the Free University of Brussels conducted
a behavioural study of the world’s most resilient
creature: The cockroach. Combining elements
of entomology and robotics, the experiment
involved socialising light-sensitive, cockroach-
scented robots with the real deal.

The researchers constructed a social
arena with two areas, one darker than the
other and released 16 organic roaches into it.
The roaches, which have a natural distaste
for light, congregated in the dark area. Then four
robots were introduced and allowed to become
acquainted with the organic group.

Once the living roaches grew accustomed
to their artificial counterparts, the robots were
re-programmed to graze in the light section of
the arena. Although cockroaches are instinctively
attracted to the dark, they were unable to resist
the impulse to imitate and follow the artificial
roaches into the light.