Cockroaches are considered as pests that should be exterminated. They are commonly associated with contamination and known to carry organisms that can cause diseases.

Despite the ugly notion that people has with these Blattarias, they became the inspiration of the new robot created by the scientists at the University of California in Berkeley.  

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Researchers had been trying to utilize nature's systems in robots to avoid obstacles. These fellas use sensors to map out the environment and make calculations to create a safe path, going around the obstacle.

The approach, according to the lead researcher Chen Li, has been successful. Unfortunately, like any other methods, it has limitations. This is where the world's hatest insect comes in. 

Are you getting curious now? Let's take a look on the different phases below, and find out how this happened.

1. The Problem

Researchers had problems with some of the robots' movement. A clear path cannot be planned in a densely cluttered terrain because the obstacles are too close with each other.

2. The Goal 

Their aim is to design a robot that can get past this type of obstacle. 

3. Data Gathering 

Researchers found out that because of their body shape, cockroaches are able to move through narrow spaces. Their study led to the design of the same system, which will allow robots to move with more agility.

The study subject was the Blaberus Discoidalis, Daily Times has learned. They are also known as discoid cockroach living in tropical rainforests, where cluttered obstacles such as shrubs, leaf litter, fungi, tree trunks and blades of grasses are common. Its rounded body serves as a guide, which allows the insect to move through the narrow gaps without extra effort. 

4. The Actual Experimentation and Result

Following an in-depth scrutiny of the cockroaches' movement, the researchers tested their rectangular, six-legged robot on the artificial obstacle course. They found out that its body could not get past the obstacles, collided frequently and worst, they got stuck.

Hence, they made a cockroach-like shell and attached it on top of the robot's body, according to Valuewalk. They found out that the robot was able to successfully get past the obstacle course — the movement used was the same with cockroaches.

In addition, the researchers affirmed the shell was doing the works because no obstacle-sensing system was attached to the cockroach robot. 

5. The Benefits 

This design can contribute a lot for the advancement of robotics technology, especially those that are made for search and rescue mission. It can be also used for precision agriculture because they can move through thick vegetations without extra sensors and perplex programs for navigation, NBC News reported.

Did the cockroaches survive the Hiroshima bombing because of their shells? Post comments below, and let us know what you think.

TagsCockroach Robot, technology, Invention