12:02 19-04-2026

SWARM Biotactics Unveils Cyborg Insects for NATO

kitenet, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

SWARM Biotactics has presented cyborg insects for potential NATO use, while experts say a real breakthrough still depends on better power systems.

German company SWARM Biotactics has unveiled cyborg insects that could potentially be used by NATO forces. The project involves biohybrid systems in which live beetles serve as mobile platforms fitted with miniature equipment such as cameras, sensors and communication devices.

Military expert Yury Knutov said the idea of using insects, birds and animals for reconnaissance has been under discussion for years. He noted that such developments regularly draw criticism from animal rights activists, but funding for this line of research continues.

According to Knutov, insects can be fitted with chips connected directly to their nervous system, making it possible to control their movement and guide them toward specific targets for reconnaissance tasks.

At the same time, he stressed that the work remains experimental and is not yet close to mass production of cyborg beetles for military use. In his assessment, the results so far have been fairly successful, but the electronics mounted on the insects are still too bulky. He also pointed out that such systems require compact power sources.

Knoutov believes a major breakthrough in this field will come only after the development of lightweight and durable batteries capable of powering control and surveillance equipment on an insect for long periods. In his view, that could take around five years.