Chinese researchers develop ‘electronic cockroach’ microbot

Chinese researchers have developed an insect-sized microbot nicknamed the “electronic cockroach,” described in Nature Communications as highly agile, durable, and capable of operating in tight spaces. Weighing just over 1 gram and measuring 2 centimeters long, it can withstand up to 60 kilograms of force without damage, move at 4.8 body lengths per second, and turn at 280 degrees per second. Made from flexible, deformation-resistant materials, it features a robust exoskeleton and can operate both on land and in water, where its legs act as paddles. Potential uses include disaster rescue, pipeline inspection, and work in confined spaces, though its current 20-minute battery life limits practical applications.

Credit: CGTN