Scientists have developed a control system for living cockroaches, transforming them into cyborg organisms with remote control capabilities and equipping them with specialized “diving gear” that enables the insects to move underwater. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.
The project was created by a team of robotics researchers led by Hirotaka Sato from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Its goal is the development of biohybrid systems that use living organisms as the foundation for controllable robotic platforms.
Madagascar hissing cockroaches were chosen as the carriers—large, resilient insects that can live up to five years and exhibit high tolerance to adverse conditions. These traits make them potentially suitable for extended operations in destroyed or hazardous environments.
Photo: NTU Singapore
The primary technical challenge was that cockroaches cannot remain underwater for long periods. To address this issue, researchers designed and 3D-printed miniature respiratory modules that cover the insects’ spiracles—the openings through which gas exchange occurs.
Oxygen supply is not provided through tanks but through a chemical reaction: a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide decomposes, releasing oxygen that enters the insect’s respiratory system. Some tubes are connected to the leg area to avoid restricting movement.
Additionally, the researchers embedded a control microchip and a miniature power source directly into the insect’s body, eliminating external modules. Experiments showed that external “backpacks” impaired mobility, so they were discarded in favor of an implantable architecture.
A) Operation of a cyborg insect in an underwater environment. B) Design of the protective and breathing suit for cyborg cockroaches, including a flexible waterproof shell, an integrated oxygen generator, and a system of tubes for gas delivery. Oxygen generation occurs through a catalytic reaction between manganese dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on a cellulose sponge base, producing oxygen and water. The generated oxygen is delivered to the insect’s respiratory openings via a network of thin supply tubes, enabling underwater breathing. C) Real motion tests: a cyborg insect in its protective suit performs a vertical descent, underwater movement, and subsequent ascent. Source: NTU Singapore
In tests, the modified cockroaches could move underwater for up to three hours, maintaining speeds comparable to those on land. No significant deterioration in their condition was observed after the experiments.
The authors note that biohybrid insects offer several advantages over conventional robots: they are cheaper to produce, more energy-efficient, and potentially capable of operating in environments where traditional mechanical platforms are difficult to use.
In the future, such systems are being considered as the basis for search and rescue operations in disaster zones, as well as for reconnaissance in extreme conditions, including potential missions on other planets.
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