Needle-toting cockroaches could be deployed by search-and-rescue teams for lifesaving injections
Scientists from the universities of Queensland and New South Wales have developed paramedic cyborg cockroaches, dubbed "paraborgs," equipped with miniature injection devices and cameras.
Researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales have created "paraborgs," or paramedic cyborg cockroaches, that could one day serve as lifesaving injectors for search-and-rescue teams. These insects, fitted with miniature injection devices and cameras, were developed to provide basic medical assistance in narrow, debris-filled spaces following disasters like earthquakes and building collapses.
Hai Nhan Le, a PhD candidate and co-author of the study published in the journal Advanced Science, explained that while giant cockroaches may be unsettling to some, they could make a significant difference in saving lives when trapped victims need help. The researchers chose to use real cockroaches instead of robots due to their agility, resilience, and low power requirements.
The cockroaches were implanted with electrodes to stimulate their nervous systems, allowing operators to steer them. The study achieved a 100% success rate in reaching designated checkpoints and a 72% overall drug-delivery success rate during tests. In situations where every minute counts, such as snakebite emergencies and severe allergic reactions, the system could potentially stabilize victims until rescue teams arrive.
Future plans include deploying a swarm of cockroaches to navigate collapsed structures and quickly locate victims, although further testing is needed to address challenges like complex terrain, signal loss, and injection safety.
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