Dragonfly Cyborg

Drones grow more capable by the day, yet they still pale in comparison to the designs nature has already created. This Dragonfly Cyborg is a perfect example. By genetically modifying dragonfly neurons to make them more sensitive to light, scientists control the insect's flight using a minuscule backpack apparatus. Optical fibers transmit light signals to the dragonfly's nerve cord, letting the researchers not only control but better understand how they hover, dart, and turn with such remarkable precision. Don't worry, though — the creators have no plans on building an army of sentient cyborg insects, excited instead by the underlying technology's potential medical applications.