Singapore scientists create cockroach scuba gear, can survive underwater for 3 hours

A team from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has created a tiny diving device for cyborg cockroaches. It's only 10x10 mm and helps the bugs survive underwater for up to 3 hours, much longer than their usual few minutes. They call it the world's first cockroach scuba gear.

The device is 3D-printed and flexible, worn on the roach's back. It uses a chemical oxygen generator with a sponge and manganese dioxide layer that releases oxygen when it touches hydrogen peroxide. Four silicone tubes deliver the oxygen to the roach's breathing holes. A wireless controller lets humans steer the roach.

During tests, the roaches navigated through tube obstacles mimicking underwater rescue scenes. They made it through all the challenges, moving almost as fast as on land. This tech could be used for sewer inspections and other underwater search tasks.