Hey, there's an xkcd missing!
this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2026
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What would be the use case for cyborg insects, other than war and espionage? Are they smart enough for search and rescue?
The fundamental operational range of cyborg insects, which are hybrid robots that combine a living insect with an electronic controller, is inherently restricted to the host’s natural environment. To extend their operational range, we developed a wearable diving suit for terrestrial insects. The suit integrates a miniaturised oxygen generation module with a flexible waterproof shell, enabling continuous oxygen supply and isolation from surrounding water. By fitting a cockroach, which is a terrestrial species, into this diving suit, we allowed it to survive and operate in oxygen-deprived environments such as underwater, transforming it into an amphibious cyborg robot capable of operation across land and water. The suit sustained respiration and locomotion for up to 3 h underwater, establishing amphibious cyborg insects that combine biological adaptability with engineered protection for prolonged exploration in extreme, confined environments.
The article says they're supposed to be an alternative to fully robotic devices, with lower power consumption since their movement is... bug-powered I guess, but I am really curious what kind of fine control you can have on a cockroach.
