Cyborg cockroaches could deliver emergency aid in collapsed buildings
TL;DR
Researchers fitted giant burrowing cockroaches with cameras and remotely activated injectors to create 'paraborgs' that can navigate rubble and deliver emergency care when rescuers can't reach victims. In tests, close-range injections succeeded 95% of the time within 15 cm, while full navigation-and-injection succeeded in 72% of trials. Insects are anaesthetised during fitting and live like normal cockroaches afterward. The long-term aim is swarms of cyborg insects that extend rescue teams' reach, potentially within five to ten years.
Topics:worldtechnology#bio-robotics#cyborg-insects#emergency-medical-aid#search-and-rescue#swarm-robotics#technology
- Cyborg cockroaches with tiny syringes designed to join search and rescue teams in major disasters The Guardian
- Roaches to the rescue: Australian scientists develop cyborg cockroaches for medical missions Reuters
- Giant cyborg cockroaches could bring supervised care to people trapped beyond rescuers' reach Tech Xplore
- Scientists make giant cyborg cockroaches that can fire drug-filled syringes SMH.com.au
- Cyborg cockroaches could crawl to the rescue Fassifern Guardian
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