German Startup SWARM Biotactics Equips Cockroaches with Electronics for Inaccessible Missions

A German startup named SWARM Biotactics is pioneering the next generation of insect utilization by transforming living cockroaches into miniature bio-robots capable of executing specialized tasks. This innovative development is rooted in a bio-hybrid system that seamlessly integrates biology, electronics, and robotics. The technology is already attracting significant interest, including from German defense sectors.

The core of this technology involves a custom-designed electronic backpack affixed to Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. This species was specifically chosen due to its inherent robustness and capacity to carry a payload. The current iteration of the device weighs approximately 15 grams, although the engineering team is actively striving to reduce this mass to just 10 grams to lessen the burden on the insect. These bio-agents are outfitted with essential equipment, such as miniature cameras, microphones, and various sensors, alongside secure communication modules for real-time data collection and transmission.

Movement control is achieved through a neurophysiological interface that leverages the cockroach's natural reflexes. A specialized harness fitted with electrodes connects to the insect's antennae. By delivering minute electrical signals, the system creates the illusion of an impending obstacle, thereby guiding the insect's innate navigational path. Stefan Wilhelm, the company's CEO, emphasizes that the objective is to steer the creatures rather than force them, utilizing their built-in navigation skills, particularly in confined spaces where conventional drones cannot operate.

Interest in these bio-hybrid solutions is escalating across Europe. For instance, the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Center is currently evaluating these capabilities as a means to bolster national defense potential. Initial applications are foreseen in search and rescue operations, where these bio-robots could penetrate rubble piles following structural collapses to locate survivors. Experts at the University of Kassel highlight that employing insects as sensor carriers opens up entirely new avenues for environmental monitoring and emergency response efforts.

While operators currently manage individual specimens, SWARM Biotactics is simultaneously developing sophisticated algorithms designed for the autonomous control of swarms comprising dozens or even hundreds of insects. The company secured 10 million euros during a seed funding round in June 2025, bringing its total investment capital to 13 million euros. This substantial backing reflects investor confidence in the scalability of the solution, which holds promise for both defense applications and civilian use in challenging environments. Broader deployment of these technologies is anticipated within the next 18 to 24 months.