These tiny cockroach-shaped robots can monitor the state of our environment

The idea is to be able to use a veritable army of these 'insects' to go into areas that are inaccessible to humans, or even dangerous, and to inspect the quality of the environment thanks to various sensors. — RIKEN/AFP Relaxnews

In Japan, researchers have unveiled a strange electronic insect, capable of moving around in any natural environment, with the help of an integrated remote control module and solar battery. The idea is to be able to entrust these tiny robots with environmental monitoring missions in places that are very difficult to access.

An international team, led by researchers from Japan's RIKEN research institute, has developed a kind of electronic cockroach, equipped with a tiny wireless control module, and powered by a battery that can be recharged using solar energy alone.