The German Army has tested electronically controlled cockroaches for reconnaissance in Munster. Equipped with sensors, these “AutoBugs” from Swarm Biotactics are used to scout buildings. Future versions may also carry explosives.

The German Army has for the first time made public tests with electronically controlled cockroaches. On Tuesday, the army published a video on Instagram and YouTube showing a test at the Army Reconnaissance School in Munster: the crawling insects, equipped with mounted sensors, are deployed to scout a building. The Cyber Innovation Hub, the Berlin-based research centre of the German Army, is leading the testing of the new technology.

The animals come from the Kassel start-up Swarm Biotactics. The company equips the modified cockroaches with a “backpack” said to weigh around 20 grams. The payload can consist of cameras, microphones and other sensors. “Controlling a swarm of insects is more complex than drones – but if it works, it will revolutionise warfare,” explained company founder Jörg Lamprecht at the Munich Security Conference. Not every cockroach is controlled individually; operators merely assign targets to the small swarm.

Lamprecht became known in the industry through his previous company Dedrone, which specialised in drone defence and at times was considered a market leader in this segment. He sold the company for around 500 million dollars to the US Taser and bodycam manufacturer Axon.

Within the German Army, the animals are referred to as “AutoBugs”. The aim of these “remote-controlled cockroaches with mini electronics” is to generate a situational picture from a distance and thereby “create stand-off capability before forces have to approach”. In other words, the insects are intended to help reduce risks for soldiers. Specifically, the army aims, for example, to explore buildings that soldiers cannot see into.

Further development is already being considered by the military: the platform can be expanded through “intelligent programmes”, as explained in the German Army video. Additional sensors could also include “automated analysis”. Specifically mentioned is “AI-supported pattern recognition”. The German Army does not mention in its video that Swarm Biotactics also intends to equip its biobots with explosives.

Published in German in „nd“.

Image: German Army cockroach with mounted sensors and protective armour – resembling a Wehrmacht helmet (screenshot Instagram/German Army).