Researchers from NTU Singapore and Waseda University have developed a flexible diving suit for cyborg cockroaches, enabling them to survive and move underwater for up to three hours. This innovative technology could potentially aid rescue teams in searching for people in disaster zones, such as flooded areas or rubble-filled spaces.
Cyborg Cockroaches
The cyborg cockroaches are living insects fitted with tiny electronics that guide their movement, using their own muscles to walk and requiring less battery power than traditional robots. However, they still need air, which is where the diving suit comes in – providing an oxygen-generation tank, a flexible waterproof shell, and four silicone oxygen tubes to keep the cockroach breathing.
The suit’s oxygen tank is 3D-printed and uses a chemical reaction to release oxygen, which is then sent to the cockroach’s breathing openings. This technology could be used in various disaster scenarios, such as earthquakes, floods, or infrastructure failures, to inspect damaged buildings, pipes, and tunnels.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
