Researchers in Australia have developed cyborg cockroaches equipped with miniature cameras and medical injectors to assist in search and rescue operations in disaster zones.
“Elchi” reports that this research, conducted in collaboration between engineers from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), aims to provide emergency assistance in narrow spaces that search and rescue teams cannot reach, such as collapsed buildings or caves.
Using the giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanestia rhinoceros) native to Australia, the research integrated lightweight electronic equipment, cameras, and remotely activated automated injection systems into the insects.
Thang Vo-Doan, a biorobotics engineer at the University of Queensland, stated that the research transforms cyborg insects from simple mobile sensors into first responders. Vo-Doan noted that critical medical decisions will remain entirely under human control.
In proof-of-concept tests, the cyborg insects achieved a 95% success rate in close-range injections and a 72% completion rate for the entire task, including navigation and the injection process. It was reported that the insects, which were anesthetized during the implantation of electronic devices and microchips, were able to continue their normal lifespans after the systems were removed. Experts stated that this technology could become a vital tool for search and rescue teams in inaccessible areas and predicted that a fleet of cyborg insects could be deployed in real disaster situations within 5-10 years.
Şayəstə