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Researchers are exploring the use of cyborg cockroaches and beetles as future search-and-rescue tools. By attaching tiny circuit boards to these insects, scientists can control their movements using electrical pulses while taking advantage of their natural agility. The goal is to deploy them in disaster zones like earthquake sites, where they could locate survivors and even deliver lifesaving supplies.
Cyborg insects have an advantage over traditional robots due to their adaptability in complex environments. The work, led by researcher Lachlan Fitzgerald from the University of Queensland, is still in its early stages, but the potential to save lives is significant. Although some people raise ethical concerns about the welfare of the insects, researchers emphasize that the insects live normal lifespans and that the benefits of this technology could outweigh the drawbacks. Other institutions, like Caltech and Cornell, are also creating biohybrid robots using organisms like jellyfish and fungi for various purposes, sparking debates about the ethics and regulation of this emerging technology.
Source: Local News 8 via CNN