Special / Extreme Environments Education & Research Human-Machine Interaction Motion & Navigation
Cyborg Cockroaches Equipped for Underwater Rescue Operations
Original from leaderobot.com: Cockroaches in Diving Suits: A New Tool for Underwater Rescue

Cyborg Cockroaches Equipped for Underwater Rescue Operations

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Waseda University in Japan have developed a unique application for cyborg Madagascar hissing cockroaches. By outfitting these insects with miniature diving suits, they can now navigate underwater for up to three hours, providing innovative solutions for disaster rescue operations.

This advancement is significant as it combines living organisms with electronic devices, allowing the cockroaches to utilize their own muscle and nervous systems for movement. Unlike purely mechanical robots, these cyborg cockroaches have a lower energy consumption, making them more efficient for tasks in challenging environments, such as underwater scenarios.

The research team is currently enhancing these cyborg cockroaches with miniature sensors, cameras, and advanced navigation systems. In the future, they may be deployed in disaster situations like floods or earthquakes to access hard-to-reach areas, helping rescue teams locate trapped individuals. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.

Editor's Note

The integration of biological organisms with technology presents a transformative approach to disaster response. As the demand for innovative rescue solutions grows, the development of cyborg insects could significantly enhance operational capabilities in hazardous environments. This advancement may influence future procurement strategies for emergency response teams.

RobotToday Initiative

Robotics needs a service framework.

RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.

Share

Related Articles/News

New Birdlike Robot Mimics Diving Birds with Swimming and Flying Capabilities

New Birdlike Robot Mimics Diving Birds with Swimming and Flying Capabilities

A new birdlike robot has been developed that can swim underwater and transition into flight without the need for paddling. This innovative design mimics the natural behaviors of various diving birds, such as loons and gulls, which are known for their dual capabilities. The robot's ability to seamlessly switch between swimming and flying represents a signi...

Robotics
Cyborg Cockroaches Equipped with Diving Suits Achieve Three-Hour Submersion

Cyborg Cockroaches Equipped with Diving Suits Achieve Three-Hour Submersion

Researchers have developed a miniature diving suit for cyborg cockroaches, allowing them to navigate both land and water environments. This innovation enables the cockroaches to survive underwater for up to three hours, showcasing their amphibious locomotion capabilities. The study highlights the potential applications of biohybrid systems in hazardous en...

IEEE Honors Robotics Pioneer Toshio Fukuda

IEEE Honors Robotics Pioneer Toshio Fukuda

Toshio Fukuda has been blazing trails for most of his career. He is considered to be one of the most prolific scholars in robotics, writing more than 2,000 research papers and authoring several books on the field. He’s an influential figure thanks to his pioneering work developing biomedical robotic systems, industrial robots, micro-nano robotics, mechatr...

Robotics Robots Ieee-member-news
Japan Pioneered Humanoid Robots—Can It Now Catch China?

Japan Pioneered Humanoid Robots—Can It Now Catch China?

“In the future, the relationship between humans and robots will deepen, and the distinction between them will probably disappear.” This prediction, from one of the attendees at the recent Humanoids Summit in Tokyo, might have been unremarkable had it not come directly from an android that was first introduced to the world 20 years ago. Geminoid HI-6 is th...

Japan Robotics Humanoids
ROBOTTODAY Weekly June 30 – July 4, 2026

ROBOTTODAY Weekly June 30 – July 4, 2026

Unitree wins CSRC approval for China’s first humanoid IPO, Korea unveils ₩312T AI investment, RoboCup 2026 opens in Incheon, and Paris launches Europe’s inaugural Physical AI summit.

RobotToday Weekly
FIRST Global Challenge 2026 Returns to Korea with 190+ Nations

FIRST Global Challenge 2026 Returns to Korea with 190+ Nations

FIRST Global Challenge 2026 will bring together robotics teams from more than 190 countries in Incheon, highlighting STEM education and international collaboration.

Events
A diving suit for cyborg cockroaches could enhance search-and-rescue operations

A diving suit for cyborg cockroaches could enhance search-and-rescue operations

Researchers from NTU Singapore and Waseda University have created an innovative flexible "diving suit" designed for cyborg cockroaches, allowing these insects to navigate underwater and in low-oxygen environments for as long as three hours. The findings, published today in Nature Communications, highlight the potential for utilizing cyborg insects in sear...

Robotics
XELA Robotics Launches Next-Gen Tactile Sensors at Automate 2026

XELA Robotics Launches Next-Gen Tactile Sensors at Automate 2026

XELA Robotics unveiled five major uSkin® tactile sensor advances at Automate 2026 — including a force-sensitive nail fingertip, UMI AI integration, and fragile object handling. Full product report by RobotToday.com.

Market and Business News
ROBOTTODAY Weekly, June 15 – 19, 2026

ROBOTTODAY Weekly, June 15 – 19, 2026

This week in robotics: Japan commits $65B to physical AI, UBTECH’s U1 humanoid companion robot nears 5,000 pre-orders, XDOF raises $70M for robot foundation model infrastructure, and Waymo recalls ~3,900 robotaxis after construction-zone failures. June 15–19, 2026.

RobotToday Weekly
As Disaster Risks Grow, WingXpand and Verizon Explore New Tools for Emergency Response

As Disaster Risks Grow, WingXpand and Verizon Explore New Tools for Emergency Response

WingXpand, a St. Louis-based company, has announced a collaboration with Verizon Frontline and emergency response teams to investigate innovative tools aimed at enhancing disaster assessment and community resilience. This initiative comes in response to the increasing frequency of severe weather events impacting communities across the United States. By le...

Applications Disaster Response Drone News
Robotic Assistance in Natural Disasters and Human-Caused Crises

Robotic Assistance in Natural Disasters and Human-Caused Crises

The Synergise research and development consortium is conducting its first integrated system field test to evaluate new technological solutions, including robots, drones, sensors, localization systems, wearables, and communication platforms. This test is taking place at a training ground in Botkyrka, Sweden, where the consortium aims to assess the effectiv...

Allgemein Newsarchiv Servicerobotik
Japan promotes Osaka as a gateway for robotics and technology investment

Japan promotes Osaka as a gateway for robotics and technology investment

Japan is intensifying its campaign to draw foreign technology firms and investors to Osaka, aiming to establish the city as a viable entry point to the Japanese market and a center for innovation in key industries, including robotics, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. This initiative, spearheaded by the Japan External Tr...

Business Economy Features

Related Suppliers

Waseda University Global Robot Academia

Waseda University's Global Robot Academia, led by the Takanishi Laboratory, is a prominent research institution focused on humanoid and biomechanical robotics. Conducts foundational research in robot locomotion, manipulation, and human-robot interaction.

Cyborg Robotics 赛博格机器人

CYB-ORG (website cyb-org.cn) is reported to develop robotics/automation solutions, but publicly available contact data is incomplete.

MacArtney Underwater Tech (DK)

Danish underwater technology company producing connectivity, data acquisition, and control systems for subsea applications. Provides ROV umbilicals, sonar systems, and telemetry equipment for marine operations.

Micro Underwater Robot (RU)

Research project developing the HippoCampus micro autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), used for research in confined underwater environments. Hosted on GitHub; associated with academic robotics research in underwater autonomy.

DIC Corporation

MoR™ technology utilizes Molded Interconnect Device (MID) capabilities to integrate circuit patterns into molded forms, enabling them to function as sensors. It detects various signals such as weight, temperature, strain, and conductivity, allowing for responsive manipulation of objects. This innovation provides flexibility for diverse applications, enhancing functionality beyond traditional limitations. HAGAMOSphere® 2.0 features an omnidirectional multicopter design with a tiltrotor mechanism for optimal performance in extreme environments. Constructed from high-strength carbon fiber, it offers impact resistance and supports aerial and ground movement. This drone is ideal for high-load applications, including infrastructure inspection and disaster response. Tacthancer™ is a tactile sensitivity enhancement technology that amplifies the detection of surface flaws without requiring a power source. It can be integrated into wearable devices to enhance human tactile sensation and can also interface with sensors for data recording. This technology expands the possibilities for sensing applications across various fields.

Autonomous Control Sys Lab (ACSL) (JP)

Japanese industrial drone developer (listed company) focused on autonomous control technology for domestic UAVs. Products target postal and logistics delivery, infrastructure inspection, disaster response, and emerging commercial use cases with proprietary autonomous flight control systems.

U of Washington Bio Robotics Lab

The Bio Robotics Lab at the University of Washington develops robotic systems for medical and biological applications including surgical robots, MRI-compatible devices, and telerobotic tools. Research advances minimally invasive procedures and medical imaging-guided robotics.

Opteran

Opteran's neuromorphic software emulates biological intelligence, enabling autonomous machines to navigate unstructured environments without GPS. Utilizing a foundation model based on neuroscience, it achieves robust localization and adaptability in dynamic conditions. The system operates efficiently on edge devices, minimizing data reliance and eliminating the need for extensive training or centralized AI infrastructure, thus enhancing operational autonomy in real-time applications.

Advanced Navigation

Advanced Navigation specializes in inertial navigation systems (INS) and attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS) for diverse applications, including defense and autonomous vehicles. Their product line includes compact sensors like Certus Mini and Boreas series, designed for high-precision navigation in GPS-denied environments. The company also offers solutions for marine, subsea, and mining industries, ensuring robust connectivity and operational efficiency.

A4LAB Inc.

A4LAB Inc. specializes in advanced navigation systems for dental and ENT applications. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies, the company focuses on precision navigation, setup optimization, and comprehensive registration processes. Their research encompasses innovative methodologies to enhance surgical accuracy and patient outcomes. A4LAB's products are designed to integrate seamlessly into clinical workflows, ensuring versatile support for healthcare professionals.

FZI GmbH

FZI Research Center for Information Technology is a German non-profit applied research institution focusing on AI, mobility, logistics, and energy. Transfers computer science and IT research to industry, including autonomous driving and robotics.

Education & Research Research Institute Software & Algorithm Provider

Talls Intelligent 陶世智能

Talls Intelligent Technology manufactures high-precision miniature enveloping worm gear reducers (center distance 4.5-80 mm, 90° transmission, >10,000 h life) and dexterous hand joint modules (20+ DOF, 20 kg grip, ±0.015 mm accuracy).