Dr. Thomas Schmickl, professor at the Karl-Franzens University Graz, Artificial Life Lab, Department of Zoology, gave an extremely interesting lecture entitled „The new Cyborgs: Robots and Animals Forming a Mixed Society?“. He discussed machines that are used to trick humans or animals to study their behaviors.
He showed how modern computerized devices can take over the role of the scientist and act as their own experimenters by sneaking into animal societies. This way, bio‐mimicking machines take over an active role in natural societies, forming something novel: A bio-hybrid society.