A research team from Osaka University and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore has developed a laboratory-tested algorithm for controlling cyborg cockroaches. This innovative approach could enhance search and rescue missions in disaster-stricken urban areas.
Published on January 6 in Nature Communications, the study involved 19 cockroaches following a leader, demonstrating the potential for swarm intelligence in cyborg organisms. Professors Hirotaka Sato, Masaki Ogura, and Naoki Wakamiya emphasized the collaboration's goal to overcome limitations faced by humans and robots in rescue operations.
Over two years, researchers observed that the cyborg insects exhibited innate behaviors that were difficult to control using traditional robotic algorithms. Each insect's reaction to stimuli varied, complicating swarm control. Additionally, excessive stimulation led to habituation, reducing responsiveness.
The study highlighted cooperative behavior among cyborgs, as one insect righted itself with the assistance of its peers. This emergent collaboration suggests a new dimension in bio-hybrid swarm dynamics.
Ethologist Guy Theraulaz from CNRS expressed interest in the model's potential for collective movement based on individual positioning. However, he noted challenges in achieving true autonomy in uncharted environments.
The research team acknowledged that this publication does not present a prototype but confirms their system's functionality in complex environments. They aim to enhance detection and control capabilities and plan to develop new types of cyborgs for broader applications, including disaster response and environmental monitoring.
This research is part of Japan's Moonshot project, which seeks to address global challenges through innovative scientific solutions.