Australian development of cyborg cockroaches for rescue

Researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales in Australia have developed “paraborgs”—cyborg cockroaches intended to assist victims trapped in disaster zones like caves or collapsed buildings.

Using the North Queensland giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), engineers have equipped the insects with lightweight electronics, cameras, and remotely activated auto-injection systems. The insects are controlled via electrodes implanted in their nervous systems, allowing researchers to direct movement through electrical stimulation.

While previous research focused on using cyborg insects as mobile sensors to locate survivors, this new development allows them to act as active rescue platforms. To facilitate these missions, researchers utilize a pair of insects: one is equipped with video equipment to provide real-time visual feedback, while the second carries the drug-delivery mechanism. This dual-insect approach is then manipulated by human operators.

In testing, the system achieved a 95% success rate for injections when positioned within 15 centimeters of a target. The more complex task of navigating to a target, stabilizing, and performing the injection was successful in 72% of trials.