Cyborg roaches put to the test

World first as insect-hybrid robots from Singapore help with rescue efforts in Myanmar quake

- David Sun

A total of 10 cyborg cockroaches from Singapore have been sent to Myanmar to assist with search-and-rescue efforts after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck on March 28, killing more than 3,000 people.

The insects were flown into Myanmar and joined the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) Operation Lionheart contingent on March 30.

This is the first time in the world such cyborgs have been used in a humanitarian operation.

It is also the first time insect-hybrid robots have been deployed in the field.

The cyborg cockroaches were developed by the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) together with Nanyang Technological University and Klass Engineering and Solutions.

They were first deployed on March 31 in Myanmar and twice on April 3 in the capital, Naypyitaw.

They have not found any survivors, but the cyborgs have helped the team cover ground in some of the worst-hit areas.

SCDF sent an 80-strong force and four search dogs to Myanmar on March 29.

The HTX team, consisting of two of its engineers and two engineers from Klass Engineering and Solutions, joined the operation a day later with the cockroaches.

Fitted with infrared cameras and sensors, each Madagascar hissing cockroach measures about 6cm long.