The German startup SWARM Biotactics is pushing cyborg cockroaches into the defense sector.
The Kassel-based company, launched in 2024, recently raised about $14 million to scale the deployment of what it calls bio-robotic insect swarms. The startup says its technology is already in use with paying NATO-aligned customers, including the German Armed Forces.
SWARM Biotactics outfits real living insects with ultra-light electronic control systems. The backpack-like enclosures can be customized for specific mission requirements. Options include micro cameras, microphones, environmental sensors, secure communication modules, and lightweight AI chips for pre-processing data.
The system guides insects by sending low-voltage electrical signals to implanted electrodes that nudge nerves that control movement. According to SWARM, the cybernetic insects can transmit real-time data from places that are difficult or dangerous for humans or traditional drones to access.
The primary use case is intelligent, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Because they’re biological organisms, they can move naturally, move with less mechanical noise, and blend into surroundings more easily than conventional robots. The insects can navigate tight urban spaces, underground tunnels, collapsed structures, and GPS-denied or signal-challenged environments.
The insects used are mostly Madagascar hissing cockroaches, which live between 2 and 5 years under controlled conditions.