Posted on 09/11/2026 6:10:23 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The research involved fitting a far north Queensland species, the giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), with lightweight electronics and cameras.
They were also fitted with remotely activated auto-injection systems custom-made for the species.
In proof-of-concept testing, the paraborgs achieved 95% success with close-range injection (positioned within 15cm of the target).
The complete navigation-and-injection task succeeded in 72% of trials.
PhD candidate Hai Nhan Le said accurate positioning of the paraborgs was one of the key engineering challenges.
“The cyborg insect has to navigate to the target, position itself accurately and remain stable enough to perform the injection,” Le said.
The cockroaches, like the team’s previous cyborg insect models, are anaesthetised during electrode and microchip fitting and live for as long as other cockroaches once the harnesses are removed.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
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This is about as far out as it gets.
and sharks with frickin’ laser beams
What a psycho!
What, exactly, is being injected into helpless people, by these remote-controlled insects?
because they can be steered remotely via implanted neural electrodes, navigate impassable terrain, and physically deliver payloads, their technology carries immense implications for modern military operations and urban warfare
Researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales developed the biohybrid insects, called “Paraborgs,” using North Queensland giant burrowing cockroaches (Macropanesthia rhinoceros). The insects are fitted with removable electronic backpacks, while implanted electrodes allow human operators to steer them remotely through confined spaces.The concept goes beyond simply searching for survivors. In the researchers’ demonstration, one cyborg cockroach carrying a Wi-Fi camera could scout the area and provide a live view, while another equipped with a miniature auto-injection mechanism could approach the target and deliver liquid through a needle. Laboratory results were promising, but this is still an early proof of concept. The injector achieved a 90% success rate in separate tests on ex vivo pig skin, penetrating about 5.5 millimeters. In experiments where the cockroach itself had to navigate, position correctly and inject a silicone target designed to mimic some properties of skin, the complete task succeeded in 72% of trials. At close range—within about 15 centimeters—the researchers estimated injection success could reach roughly 95%.
The advantage is biological: these insects already possess agile locomotion, resilient bodies and extremely low power requirements. Instead of engineering a miniature robot capable of handling rubble, researchers can use the cockroach’s natural ability to crawl through difficult terrain and add specialized electronics and medical equipment.
No medications have been delivered to trapped humans, and substantial safety and field testing would be required before the technology could be used medically. The researchers say their long-term goal is to deploy swarms with specialized roles—some carrying cameras or environmental sensors and others carrying emergency medical equipment—and suggest real-world rescue applications could potentially emerge within 5–10 years. Source: Le, H. N., Phan, P. T., Fitzgerald, L., McAree, P. R., Do, T. N., & Vo-Doan, T. T. (2026). Paraborg: Paramedic Cyborg Insects for In Situ Emergency Drug-Delivery. Advanced Science. DOI: 10.1002/advs.76973.
Can the cyborg roach get the “Phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range” option instead of the syringe?
For people trapped under rubble in an earthquake or similar disaster, the arrival of a fleet of cockroaches could one day be the difference between life and death.
Beetle-Chan , our hero !!
Whatthehellizzat?
It’s a cockroach with a cannon.
Armed man barricaded in house, insect drones sent in and man is unknowingly put to sleep.
As far as earthquakes etc, I assume that as a tiny insect maps a path to a victim then the human monitor can decide what size of a larger version could carry a load of injection or whatever to the victim.
Part of a study on locomotion, met the author at a Bay Area MEMS Journal Club meeting.
The idea was to see how quickly a running cockroach could recover from being nudged, to improve micromechanical crawler design.
Why a cannon? To isolate the lateral force from force plus mechanical contact.
The cockroach didn’t miss a beat or step...
Isn’t this the way that civilization ends in a number of dystopian sci-fi movies? The first scene is some scientist creates a mutant cockroach that is going to create all kinds of benefits for mankind. The next scene is thousands of 20-foot talk mutant cockroaches with armor for skin and machetes for talons hunting down and killing the last remnants of humanity.
Why cockroaches???
Why cockroaches???
Nerve toxin. Nobody wants to hear all that moaning.
They promised me tiny submarines with Raquel Welch inside.
But this will just have to do.
So long as the bugs are edible.
Always thought ze bugs would win. Now they’re armed.
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