Cyborg cockroaches aid search efforts in Myanmar after devastating earthquake

After a severe earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, killing over 3,000 individuals, innovative rescue efforts were initiated. In an unprecedented move, Singapore dispatched a total of ten cyborg cockroaches to aid the search-and-rescue operations, marking the first use of such technology in a humanitarian context. Deployed on March 31, the cockroaches played a vital role in scanning collapsed structures for signs of life, utilizing advanced cameras and sensors. These efforts were bolstered by an 80-member Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) team, which had arrived a day earlier to begin rescue operations after the quake's devastation. As of April 3, they had already integrated the cockroaches with a multidisciplinary team, including engineers from Klass Engineering and Solutions, who were working on translating the data gathered into actionable intelligence a matter of life and death. The SCDF initially focused on a collapsed hospital site about the size of two football fields, taking considerable time to sift through the rubble and locate potential survivors despite extreme weather conditions, including soaring temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees Celsius. Mr. Ong Ka Hing, part of the team from HTX's Robotics, Automation, and Unmanned Systems Center of Expertise, described the challenges faced on the ground, such as severe road disruptions and the psychological burden felt by families awaiting news about their loved ones. On March 30, SCDF's efforts culminated in the successful rescue of a man trapped beneath a collapsed three-story building after eight hours of rigorous searching. The incorporation of cyborg technology into rescue missions in Myanmar signifies a transformative milestone, given that similar engineering applications have not been previously utilized in humanitarian crises. The cyborgs collected crucial information through their onboard sensors, with a machine-learning algorithm processing the data to detect life signals amidst the disaster chaos. This technological edge could potentially revolutionize future disaster response strategies, but the HTX team acknowledged difficulties encountered during their deployment, indicating that testing in real scenarios presents unique challenges compared to controlled environments. The response team, underlines the commitment of engineers and rescuers to enhance such technology for future operations while expressing a shared determination to pursue every available opportunity to save lives. Ong noted that the situation remains dynamic and unpredictable, with adjustments required as they strive to optimize the capabilities of their robotic helpers. As they navigate the harsh realities present in Myanmar, involving ongoing repairs to infrastructure and the uncertainty of further aftershocks, the team remains motivated by their sense of purpose and mission, which is to continuously improve and refine this lifesaving technology.