Singapore, Ap 9: In a groundbreaking effort to assist with earthquake rescue operations in Myanmar, Singapore has deployed cyborg cockroaches to help search for survivors following the catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28, claiming over 3,000 lives.
These ten insect-robot hybrids, developed by Singapore's Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University and Klass Engineering and Solutions, were dispatched alongside the Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) 80-member Operation Lionheart team.
The cockroaches, equipped with infrared cameras and sensors, were sent to disaster zones in Naypyitaw and Mandalay, including a collapsed hospital. They are specifically designed to navigate tight spaces under rubble to detect signs of life using remotely controlled electrodes.
Though the cyborg cockroaches have not yet located survivors, they have contributed significantly to scanning areas that are otherwise difficult for human or canine teams to access. The innovative technology has already provided valuable assistance in the field.
"This is the first time such insect-hybrid robots are being used in rescue operations," said Ong Ka Hing from HTX’s Robotics Centre. “Being here is both humbling and challenging. We’ve encountered real technical difficulties but have also seen the urgent need for our technology.”
Mr. Yap Kian Wee from HTX shared his emotional experience during the mission, recalling a moment when a man desperately sought help for his trapped sibling in a hospital. “It really hit home,” he said.
Despite the challenges posed by high temperatures, power outages, and rough terrain, the Singaporean team has pledged to continue supporting local rescue operations for as long as necessary.
The cyborg cockroaches, sustained with carrots and water, remain operational in the field. The Myanmar mission has accelerated the testing of these robots, which were originally slated for field deployment in 2026. Engineers hope the real-time data gathered from this mission will guide the future development of rescue robotics.
