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Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a method for remotely guiding beetles, creating a low-cost, biologically based platform that could support search and rescue operations in confined or unstable environments.
By attaching lightweight electronic “backpacks” to darkling beetles (Zophobas morio), the team was able to influence the insects’ movements using small electrical pulses. These pulses stimulate either the beetles’ antennae or hardened wing covers (elytra), prompting them to turn or climb on command. Control is handled via a standard video game controller, allowing for manual direction without interfering with the beetles’ natural movement.
According to the press release, the goal of the project is to create mobile, adaptable scouts that can access spaces that traditional ground robots often struggle with—such as narrow gaps in rubble or unstable debris fields following disasters like building collapses. Unlike robotic systems, which can be limited by size, weight, and terrain, the beetles’ natural climbing ability gives them an advantage in navigating complex spaces.
Early tests showed the beetles were capable of climbing vertically while carrying a power source close to their own body weight. The research team is now working on improving the backpack design, focusing on integrating smaller batteries and lightweight cameras that could provide visual feedback to rescue teams.
This line of research is part of a broader effort in bio-hybrid robotics, which explores the use of live organisms combined with electronic control systems.
Although the technology is still in development, the researchers hope to test it in controlled disaster simulations within the next few years. The work offers a potentially practical approach to navigating areas too dangerous or inaccessible for human teams or conventional robots.
The findings were published in Advanced Science, and contribute to the growing body of research exploring biological systems as platforms for real-world technical applications.