MANDALAY, Myanmar (Kashmir English): In a global first, Singapore has deployed insect-robot hybrids to help trace Myanmar earthquake survivors days after the devastating 7.7-magnitude quake hit the country.
It was on March 28 that the country met with an unprecedented tragedy.
The move will assist the authorities in earthquake rescue efforts in Myanmar that killed over 3,000 people.
Cyborg cockroaches have been developed by Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University and Klass Engineering and Solutions.
Ten insect-robot hybrids were sent to Myanmar alongside the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) 80-member Operation Lionheart team.
Fitted with sensors and infrared cameras, the cockroaches were deployed at disaster sites in Mandalay and Naypyitaw.
Myanmar rubble
Using remotely controlled electrodes, these cockroaches are fully capable of navigating tight spaces under rubble to search for signs of life with no survivors located yet.
Engineers said while the cockroaches have not traced any sign of life yet, they have helped in detailed area scans that are difficult for human or canine teams to access.
“This is the first time such insect-hybrid robots are being used in the field,” said Ong Ka Hing from HTX’s Robotics Centre. “Being here is a humbling experience. We’ve encountered real technical challenges but also seen the urgency of the situation.”
HTX’s Mr Yap Kian Wee recounted emotional encounters with survivors and family members seeking help. “A man told me his sibling was trapped in the hospital. It really hit home,” he said.
Despite soaring temperatures, power cuts, and rough terrain, the Singaporean team said they would continue supporting local rescue operations as long as needed.
The cockroaches, sustained with carrots and water, remain functional in the field.
The Myanmar deployment is an early testing of the cyborgs, originally scheduled for field use from 2026.
