Cockroaches Turned Into Cyborgs To Help Humans In Disaster Sites
COCKROACHES TURNED INTO CYBORGS – Who knew that cockroaches, one of the most despised bugs in the world, could save lives?
A team of engineers from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) sought the help of cockroaches to assist rescuers in disaster sites. Specifically, the team uses Madagascar hissing cockroaches in their study.
But, how exactly can these cockroaches help assist rescuers? Well, the team mounts a device on the back of the roaches that are well-equipped with sensors. Furthermore, the roaches also carry a small infrared camera that can detect life through temperature signatures.
According to an article from Straits Times, the “backpack” weighs roughly 5.5g which is no problem for the roaches to carry. And, the idea was to release the roaches at disaster sites to help find life amidst the rubble.
Additionally, the devices on the roaches are equipped with human detection algorithms. As per the article, the bugs, through the devices, can distinguish between human and non-human objects with an 87% accuracy rating.
Deploying a team of insect-hybrid robots (or cyborgs) that can navigate small and tight spaces that may be dangerous and inaccessible to humans will protect our front-line responders and improve the agility and efficiency of Home Team operations
Cockroaches are known to be resilient creatures. In fact, the average Madagascar hissing cockroach can endure 10 times more radiation than humans. Now, more than 100 to 200 of these roaches are housed in NTU’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering labs.
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