The 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, triggered a wave of humanitarian responses across ASEAN.
Yet, one of the most eye-catching contributions didn’t come in the form of high-tech drones or robotic rescue units—it came from Singapore, in the form of 10 cyborg cockroaches.
This deployment marks a new chapter in the use of cutting-edge, bio-hybrid technology for search and rescue (SAR) operations across Southeast Asia—a region frequently struck by natural disasters.
Cyborg Cockroach Technology: Small, Affordable, and Incredibly Precise
Developed by Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) in collaboration with Klass Engineering and Solutions, these advanced roaches are actually Madagascar hissing cockroaches enhanced with miniature infrared cameras, motion sensors, and wireless data transmitters.
Controlled via electrodes connected to their antennae, the insects can be guided with remarkable precision through tight crevices and collapsed debris—places that are too dangerous or simply inaccessible to humans and trained dogs.
This makes them a highly efficient, low-cost alternative for first responders operating in disaster zones.
Also read: Myanmar Hit by 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake: How Are ASEAN and the World Responding?
Field-Tested in Myanmar: A Global First
Their deployment to Myanmar marks the first real-world use of this bio-hybrid technology. Alongside Singapore’s Operation Lionheart team from the Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the 10 cyborg cockroaches were sent to a collapsed hospital site in Naypyidaw just three days after the quake.
Although they did not locate any survivors, the roaches played a critical role in surveying the rubble.
They transmitted visual and thermal data from high-risk zones, allowing rescuers to assess dangerous terrain without risking additional human lives.
Also read: 5 Largest Earthquakes Ever Recorded in Southeast Asia
A Game-Changer for Disaster-Prone Southeast Asia
Given the region's vulnerability to natural disasters—from earthquakes in Indonesia and Myanmar to typhoons in the Philippines and Vietnam—this kind of innovation is especially timely.
The cyborg cockroach technology offers several compelling advantages for Southeast Asia’s disaster response landscape: it is more affordable than traditional robotic solutions, carries minimal risk for SAR personnel, and possesses excellent mobility in structurally unstable environments.
These factors combined make it a powerful addition to any emergency response toolkit.
Also read: When Will It Happen? A Matter of Time Before the Megathrust Earthquakes strikes Indonesia
Paving the Way for Regional Collaboration
This pioneering effort also presents new opportunities for regional cooperation. ASEAN member states could benefit from shared training in cyborg-assisted SAR operations, joint development of standardized bio-hybrid rescue tools, and collaborative design of technology-based disaster protocols.
Organizations like the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) could potentially integrate this technology into their regional preparedness frameworks, transforming how the bloc responds to future crises.
Also read: 4 Countries at High Risk of Megathrust Earthquakes
From Lab to Rubble, a Life-Saving Innovation
Singapore’s use of cyborg cockroaches in Myanmar is more than a breakthrough in science, it's a bold demonstration of leadership in humanitarian technology.
With its practical, cost-effective, and scalable approach, Southeast Asia has the chance to lead the world in merging biology and robotics for the greater good.
As the climate crisis intensifies and disasters become more frequent, these tiny cyborgs may play a giant role in saving lives.
