Australian scientists have developed technology-equipped cockroaches that could be used to deliver emergency medication to people trapped in collapsed buildings and other disaster situations.
Researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales fitted North Queensland giant burrowing cockroaches with small backpacks containing syringe cylinders and cameras.
The insects, described by the researchers as “paraborgs”, can be remotely controlled through electrodes implanted into their nervous systems, allowing operators to steer them towards designated locations.
According to the study, the technology could help deliver basic medical assistance to victims of earthquakes, building collapses and other emergencies before rescue teams reach them.
Biorobotics engineer and study co-author Thang Vo-Doan said yesterday that the insects were anaesthetised before electrodes were implanted into their nervous systems.
“Once we implant an electrode into the insect, we can apply a small electrical signal to activate or stimulate the nerve system so that they can respond to our command,” he said.
Researchers said real cockroaches were used because of their agility, resilience and low power requirements, which they said give them advantages over robots in difficult environments.
The study involved two types of cockroaches, with one fitted with a camera to help operators locate targets and another carrying medication that could be remotely released.
The insects achieved a 100 per cent success rate in reaching designated checkpoints during the tests, while the overall drug-delivery success rate was 72 per cent.
The success rate increased to 95 per cent when the medication was released within 15 centimetres of the target.
Researchers said the system could eventually be used to provide emergency treatment for conditions such as snake bites and severe allergic reactions in situations where access to victims is difficult.
However, the experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using silicone targets and pig skin.
The researchers said further testing would be required to address challenges including complex terrain, signal loss in collapsed structures and injection safety.