The spy in the soil: Military bosses developing smart PLANTS to act as remote sensors
DARPA's Advanced Plant Technologies (APT) program is looking to harness plants' natural ability for sensing and responding to environmental stimuli, such as light levels and air pollution, and extend them with genetic modification.
According to DARPA, the military's traditional sensors are not always optimal for certain tasks, which is one of the reasons plants are at the focus of its new project.
The program will also reduce risks posed to soldiers, and reduce costs associated with traditional sensors.
The ATP program plans to modify the genomes of plants in order to program in specific types of sensing to trigger discreet responses in the presence of certain stimuli - all while not having a negative impact on the plants' ability to thrive.
DARPA is holding a Proposers Day for APT on December 12, 2017, in Arlington, Virginia to allow researchers to suggest ideas for which plants, stimuli and modifications should be researched.
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