Two researchers from North Carolina State University said they've turned cockroaches into cyborgs to help in rescue and relief efforts.

The cockroach cyborgs, or simply BioBots, can fit into tiny spaces of disaster zones and pick-up sound via tiny microphones.

BioBots are equipped with tiny electronic backpacks wired into their sensory organs. These backpacks control the cockroach's movements.

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Dr. Alper Bozkurt, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at North Carolina State University and one of the researchers, said there are two versions of the BioBot backpacks.

The first version is a single multi-directional microphone that receives relatively high-resolution sound, which it transmits wirelessly to first responders.

The second version has multiple 3D microphones that can identify the location of the sound and will direct the BioBots to that direction.

"The goal is to use BioBots with high-resolution microphones to differentiate between sounds that matter- like people calling for help- from sounds that don't matter- like a leaking pipe. Once we've identified sounds that matter, we can use BioBots equipped with microphone arrays to zero in on where those sounds are coming from," said Dr. Bozkurt.

He added that sound is the best way to find survivors inside a collapsed structure.

Developing technology that act like an electric fence is being worked on, according to Dr. Bozkurt. This technology will keep multiple BioBots together and avoid their wandering too far from each other.

The researchers hope the project can lead to saving lives in times of emergencies or disasters.

TagsBioBot, Cyborg cockroach, electronic backpacks, sound transmission, BioBot backpacks, cockroach cyborgs