Imagine a swarm of cockroaches being released in the aftermath of a disaster zone. They scuttle under rubble and dive through flooded pipes. All the while, their attached infrared cameras scan for people. While it may sound like a science fiction film, scientists studying remote-controlled insects are gradually turning this into reality.
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‘Cyborg insects’ are living insects fitted with electronic controllers, and can be guided to move using electrical impulses. Scientists at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), led by Hirotaka Sato, have spent over a decade researching this technology and developing cyborg insects that can be used across land, air – and now water.
And they were deployed during Operation Lionheart, a search and rescue mission after the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on 28th March 2025.
Cockroaches are known for their hardiness but can’t breathe underwater. So, Sato’s team began developing a 3D-printed ‘diving suit’ that allows the cockroaches to move in conditions similar to those after a flood, for example.
“Our new insect diving suit works like the oxygen tank used by human divers,” explains Sato.
“It generates oxygen and delivers it directly to the insect’s breathing holes [thoracic spiracles], allowing the cyborg cockroach to survive and move in underwater or low-oxygen environments.”
Oxygen is delivered via tubes which are attached to the cockroach’s thoracic spiracles. The researchers say that these can be later removed without causing pain or harm to the cockroach.
The suit was tested on Madagascar hissing cockroaches, partly due to their relatively large size, robustness and a lack of wings.
To test the suit, the researchers built plastic tubes that simulated an environment with low oxygen levels (and higher CO2 levels), as well as underwater sections. Cyborg cockroaches were guided through the tubes. Those with the suit survived underwater for up to three hours.
The scientists stress the importance of this work in relation to search-and-rescue missions.
“Real disaster sites can be challenging after heavy rain or flooding, blocking access routes in the rubble, drains and narrow gaps,” says Sato.
“By expanding the operating parameters of our cyborg insects to include underwater travel, we believe that they can enhance search and rescue efforts.”
Further research is being done to test the diving suit in simulated disaster environments, as well as to integrate sensors and navigation systems.
The team adds that none of the insects were harmed during the research (for example, cockroaches without diving suits were taken out of the tubes and into fresh air until they recovered) and that all were treated in line with research guidelines.
Read the full paper: Underwater Suit-Wearing Cyborg Insect Capable of Hours-Long Diving and Terra-Aqua Travel
