Australian scientists have developed cyborg cockroaches equipped with miniature injection devices and cameras that could assist search-and-rescue teams in disaster scenarios. The "paraborgs," created through collaboration between researchers at the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales, are designed to navigate narrow and debris-filled spaces to deliver emergency medical aid to victims trapped after events such as earthquakes or building collapses.
The project uses giant burrowing cockroaches (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), native to North Queensland and among the largest cockroach species in the world, measuring up to 8.5 centimeters. These insects were chosen for their agility, resilience, and low power needs, attributes difficult to replicate with robots. Researchers fitted the cockroaches with lightweight electronic backpacks housing miniature syringes and cameras. Implanted electrodes allow operators to remotely stimulate the insects' nervous systems to direct their movement.
During experiments conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using silicone targets and pig skin, the researchers achieved a 100 percent success rate in navigating the cockroaches to designated checkpoints. The overall success rate for delivering drugs remotely triggered from the backpack syringes was recorded at 72 percent, increasing to as high as 95 percent when the cockroach was within 15 centimeters of the target. The system involves one "observer" cockroach with a camera to locate victims and another equipped to deliver injections.
PhD candidate Hai Nhan Le, co-author of the study published in the journal Advanced Science, highlighted the importance of precise positioning and stability during injections, noting that while the appearance of a giant cockroach might be unsettling, the technology could be life-saving for people trapped without access to immediate help.
Biorobotics engineer Thang Vo-Doan explained that the insects are anesthetized during the implanting of electrodes and microchips to prevent pain or distress, and that once recovered, the cyborg cockroaches maintain normal lifespans comparable to non-augmented specimens. Vo-Doan emphasized that this work advances earlier use of cyborg insects which focused mainly on victim detection by enabling the delivery of emergency medical assistance.
Emergency services officials have expressed cautious optimism about the technology’s potential. Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Tim Hassiotis noted that cyborg insects could extend the capabilities of urban search-and-rescue teams by safely accessing areas too dangerous or inaccessible for humans.
Looking ahead, the research team envisions deploying swarms of paraborgs with specialized roles to rapidly locate and provide treatment to victims in disaster zones. Vo-Doan suggested that such deployments could become a reality within five to ten years, offering a new remote-first response tool for emergencies where timely medical intervention is critical.