Australian researchers have developed remote-controlled “cyborg beetles” that could help locate individuals trapped in collapsed buildings or mines. The study, led by Dr Thang Vo-Doan at the University of Queensland, involved equipping darkling beetles with detachable backpacks controlled via a video game-style remote. These devices stimulate the insect’s antennae and forewings using tiny electrodes, enabling precise navigation through tight and complex spaces that traditional robots struggle to access.
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Dr Vo-Doan explained that beetles naturally excel at climbing and navigating confined environments like dense rubble. Their natural mobility is enhanced with programmable controls that do not shorten the insect’s lifespan. Research assistant Lachlan Fitzgerald added that these beetles could scale vertical walls and move laterally, feats still difficult for robots of similar scale. Their soft bodies and refined sensory abilities make them particularly suited for sensitive search-and-rescue scenarios.
The team’s experiments involved both tethered power supplies and small onboard batteries equivalent in weight to the beetles themselves. Despite their miniature size, the insects were able to carry the load while continuing to perform effectively. Dr Vo-Doan emphasised the importance of speed in rescue operations, noting that these beetles could help determine a victim’s location, assess potential injuries, and offer rescuers visual insights into the environment around those trapped.
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The concept builds on earlier work by Singaporean scientists in 2016, who used similar technology to control stag beetles. Professor Hirotaka Sato, involved in both studies, highlighted the potential of this approach as a more agile alternative to remote-controlled drones. He suggested that such bio-hybrid tools could access small crevices unreachable by other means, providing a valuable asset for search-and-rescue operations.
