Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and scientists in Japan developed a 3D-printed scuba suit for cyborg cockroaches.

This technology enables remote-controlled insects to navigate flooded environments where traditional robots may struggle to fit. By expanding the operational range of these cyborgs, the team aims to improve the speed and efficiency of finding survivors after natural disasters.

The tiny, watertight suit measures a few millimeters and fits directly onto the back of the insect [2]. It houses a chemical oxygen generator that provides a steady supply of air to the cockroach. This system allows the electrically controlled insects to breathe and move underwater for up to three hours [1].

This research was first reported in March 2024 [1, 2]. The project utilizes the natural resilience of cockroaches combined with electronic interfaces that allow human operators to steer the insects from a distance. The integration of the diving suit removes the primary limitation of the insect's biology, the need for surface air, while maintaining its agility in tight spaces.

Beyond flood zones, the researchers said the technology could eventually be used to explore other extreme environments. This includes the possibility of using similar bio-hybrid systems to explore terrains on Mars [3]. The ability to deploy a swarm of small, oxygen-independent insects could provide a low-cost alternative to heavy rover missions in narrow crevices or subterranean pipes.

“The tiny, watertight suit measures a few millimeters and fits directly onto the back of the insect.”

The development of bio-hybrid robotics represents a shift toward using living organisms as the chassis for sensors and actuators. By augmenting biological durability with synthetic life-support systems, researchers are creating a new class of search-and-rescue tools that can access ruins and flooded infrastructure unreachable by traditional machinery.