Scientists have developed innovative 3D-printed diving suits for cockroaches, enabling the insects to breathe underwater for up to three hours. This advancement could pave the way for using these "cyborg cockroaches" in disaster areas and, eventually, for space exploration.
Led by Professor Hirotaka Sato from NTU Singapore's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the research team modified cockroaches with specialized suits that function like oxygen tanks for human divers. The suits deliver oxygen directly to the insects' spiracles, or breathing holes, allowing them to operate effectively in aquatic and low-oxygen environments.
The previous iteration of this technology involved remotely piloting cockroaches using implanted electrodes, allowing for coordinated movements and the potential creation of organic rescue drones. However, the insects struggled with underwater navigation. The new diving suit circumvents this limitation.
"Our new insect diving suit works like the oxygen tank used by human divers," Sato stated. "It generates oxygen and delivers it directly to the insect’s breathing holes, allowing the cyborg cockroach to survive and move in underwater or low-oxygen environments."
The suit is constructed from a 3D-printed, watertight resin and utilizes a reaction between hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide to produce absorbable oxygen. During tests simulating flooded tunnels and other challenging underwater conditions, the cockroaches equipped with the suits could move for up to three hours without adverse effects, reaching speeds of up to 78.4 millimeters per second.
These enhanced capabilities are seen as crucial for search and rescue operations in disaster sites, particularly those affected by heavy rain or flooding, where access routes may be blocked. "By expanding the operating parameters of our cyborg insects to include underwater travel, we believe that they can enhance search and rescue efforts," Sato explained.
Beyond terrestrial disaster response, Sato envisions a future where this technology contributes to space exploration. "The ultimate goal is to [take this technology to] space," he said. "It’s kind of one step, one big step, towards space suits for cyborg insects. Exploration over the Mars surface, for example."
The researchers aim to test the cockroach suits in various harsh environments, including the vacuum of deep space. They advocate for using cockroaches over traditional robots due to their efficiency and ability to operate for extended periods without recharging, instead replenishing their energy by consuming available food sources.
Previous work by Sato's team involved cyborg insects assisting in search and rescue efforts, including operations following a major earthquake in Myanmar in Spring 2025.