Rescue robot of tomorrow may be a cockroach in scuba suit - Fox News

See how advanced robotics are scaling destroyers and amphibious ships to detect structural problems faster than traditional methods — part of a new $71 million Navy initiative to boost readiness and cut maintenance delays. (Credit: Gecko Robotics)

A cockroach in a tiny scuba suit sounds like something you would run from, not something you would send into a disaster zone. Yet scientists say this strange little setup could one day help rescue teams search places people and larger robots cannot safely reach.

Researchers from NTU Singapore and Waseda University have developed a flexible diving suit for cyborg cockroaches. The suit lets the insects survive and move underwater, as well as through low-oxygen spaces, for up to three hours.

The study was published in Nature Communications. The goal is to expand how cyborg insects could help after floods, earthquakes or other disasters where rubble, drains and tight spaces can block access.

US MILITARY DEPLOYS MTVRS, AIRLIFTS AID TO VENEZUELA FOLLOWING DEADLY EARTHQUAKES

The tiny diving suit delivers oxygen to the cyborg cockroach, helping it move underwater for up to three hours. (NTU Singapore)

Free live CyberGuy class: Sick of Spam? Join us July 22

Join us Wednesday, July 22, at 1 PM ET for a free CyberGuy Live class that will help you cut down on robocalls, spam texts, junk email and other unwanted messages. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will walk you step by step through simple ways to filter spam, clean up your inbox and recognize the messages that could put your personal information at risk. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our spam-stopping checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward.

Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com.

How the cyborg cockroach diving suit works

A cyborg cockroach is a living insect fitted with tiny electronics that can guide its movement. Unlike a small artificial robot, it uses its own muscles to walk. That means it needs far less battery power than a robot that depends on motors. However, cockroaches still need air. They breathe through small openings called spiracles. Once submerged, they cannot pull oxygen from water.

That is where the cyborg cockroach diving suit comes in. The suit has an oxygen-generation tank, a flexible waterproof shell and four silicone oxygen tubes. Together, those parts keep water out while sending oxygen directly to the cockroach's breathing openings.

The oxygen tank is 3D-printed from a clear plastic-like resin. Inside, researchers placed a sponge treated with manganese dioxide. They then added a small amount of diluted hydrogen peroxide. That chemical reaction slowly releases oxygen. From there, the oxygen travels through the suit and into tubes attached to the cockroach's spiracles. In other words, the insect gets its own tiny oxygen system. The researchers compare it to the tank used by human divers.

SPEND LESS TIME CLEANING YOUR POOL THIS SUMMER WITH BEATBOT ROBOT CLEANERS — UP TO 36% OFF

Why scientists turned a cockroach into a rescue robot

The team tested the suit on the Madagascar hissing cockroach. That species is often used in cyborg insect research because it is large, sturdy and wingless. The suit turns the cyborg insect from a land-based crawler into an amphibious rescue robot that can move across dry and wet terrain.

That could help in places where normal robots struggle. A disaster site may include collapsed concrete, standing water, blocked drains and narrow gaps. A small insect-guided system could move through those spaces while future versions carry sensors or cameras. The idea may make your skin crawl. Still, the engineering is impressive. Researchers are using the cockroach's natural movement and adding a way for it to keep breathing underwater.

The tiny onboard controller receives computer commands that help guide the cyborg cockroach’s movement during testing. (NTU Singapore)

What happened when cyborg cockroaches went underwater

With the diving suit, the cyborg cockroaches stayed active underwater for up to three hours. Without the suit, a control cockroach suffocated within about two minutes during testing. The researchers also tested the insects in plastic tunnels that simulated tough rescue conditions. One setup included a carbon dioxide-filled section followed by a water-filled section. The cyborg cockroaches wearing the suit made it through.