‘Cyborg’ beetles could revolutionise urban search and rescue

Picture this: a building has collapsed after an earthquake, rescue crews are racing against time to find survivors buried in the rubble, and their secret weapon isn’t a robot or drone – it’s a beetle wearing a tiny backpack.

University of Queensland researchers have turned science fiction into reality by creating what they cheerfully call “cyborg” beetles that could transform disaster response operations.

Dr Thang Vo-Doan and research assistant Lachlan Fitzgerald have demonstrated they can remotely guide darkling beetles fitted with microchip backpacks using video game controllers – essentially turning the insects into living, breathing search and rescue drones.

The removable backpacks work by stimulating the beetle’s antennae or hardened forewings through electrodes, prompting movement in specific directions. Think of it as the world’s tiniest GPS system, except the vehicle has six legs and can climb walls.

“Beetles possess many natural gifts that make them the masters of climbing and manoeuvring in small, complex spaces such as dense rubble, that are difficult for robots to navigate,” Dr Vo-Doan said.

“Our work harnesses these gifts and adds programmable controls that allow for precise directional guidance, without affecting the lifespan of the beetle.”

The latest research showed the beetles could be guided to move side-to-side and up vertical walls – capabilities that would make even the most advanced robots jealous.

Fitzgerald said robots at this scale struggled with the transition from horizontal surfaces to walls, but cyborg insects possessed natural abilities that allowed them to access any area required in a disaster environment.

“While robots at this scale have made strides in locomotion, the transition from horizontal surfaces to walls remains a formidable challenge for them,” Fitzgerald said.

The team is now refining designs to include cameras and compact power systems, creating what could become the ultimate search and rescue tool.

“If people have been trapped under an extensive amount of rubble, you want to be able to find them as quickly as possible and start planning how to get them out,” Dr Vo-Doan said.

“We hope to produce a tool that can easily move through chaotic environments to pinpoint a person’s exact location, provide clues to any injuries, and give rescuers a picture of what needs to be done to free them.”

The team hopes to test the technology in live situations within five years, potentially turning these humble insects into life-saving heroes.

Who knew the future of disaster response would involve beetles with backpacks?

Picture: credit University of Queensland