RAAP—069
ROBOT COCKROACHES
Cyborg cockroaches are Madagascar hissing cockroaches fitted with miniature electronic “backpacks” that allow remote control and transmit sensor data. Designed for search and rescue, they can reach confined spaces inaccessible to humans or machines.
In March 2025, Singapore deployed ten of these insects after a 7.7‑magnitude earthquake in Myanmar to help locate survivors under rubble. Electrodes guide their movement, while onboard cameras and sensors relay real‑time information to rescue teams.
Recent advances in Singapore have enabled robotic assembly lines to mass‑produce cyborg cockroaches, allowing each to be equipped in just over a minute. Combining the resilience of insects with precision robotics offers new potential for disaster response and operations in hazardous environments.
In March 2025, Singapore deployed ten of these insects after a 7.7‑magnitude earthquake in Myanmar to help locate survivors under rubble. Electrodes guide their movement, while onboard cameras and sensors relay real‑time information to rescue teams.
Recent advances in Singapore have enabled robotic assembly lines to mass‑produce cyborg cockroaches, allowing each to be equipped in just over a minute. Combining the resilience of insects with precision robotics offers new potential for disaster response and operations in hazardous environments.