Now, cockroaches implanted with electronics to rescue and spy

The invincible cockroach can now be an ideal tool for rescue and spy work.

Researchers at North Carolina State University have figured out how to plug a miniature circuit-board into the senses of a large Madagascar hissing cockroach and take control of its body.

They have managed to control and direct the movement of the cockroach via a micro-controller on its back, News.Com.Au reported.

Researchers say the equipment is common, cheap and the subject can apparently survive a nuclear war.

The cyborg-roach, reminiscent of Dr Who's "cybermats", the bug-like spy and covert operations device of the evil Cybermen, can be commanded into precisely following a predetermined route.

 

An off-the-shelf micro-controller was pasted on to the back of the 5cm roach and wired to its antennae and abdomen.

Wireless commands to the micro-controller prod the cockroach into believing obstacles or danger were nearby - causing it to change course when desired.

"Our aim was to determine whether we could create a wireless biological interface with cockroaches, which are robust and able to infiltrate small spaces," said researcher Alper Bozkur.

"Ultimately, we think this will allow us to create a mobile web of smart sensors that uses cockroaches to collect and transmit information, such as finding survivors in a building that's been destroyed by an earthquake," Bozkur said.