Cyborg insect swarms tested in the US and EU for reconnaissance

SWARM Biotactics, a German defense technology startup, has successfully developed and field-tested programmable cyborg insect swarms for reconnaissance purposes, now operational with paying NATO customers including the German military. These bio-hybrid systems use live Madagascar hissing cockroaches equipped with miniature electronic "backpacks" containing control electronics, sensors, edge AI processors, and encrypted communication modules. The insects are guided via low-voltage electrical impulses through bioelectronic neural interfaces, enabling coordinated swarm behavior and real-time data collection in environments inaccessible to traditional drones or robots. This approach leverages the insects’ natural locomotion to navigate complex, confined, or structurally compromised spaces quietly and efficiently. The company emphasizes that their technology scales through breeding rather than factory production, marking a novel paradigm distinct from conventional robotics. SWARM Biotactics has developed a full-stack architecture encompassing neural interface hardware, swarm autonomy software, modular payloads, and mission control systems. The startup has raised approximately €13 million to support expansion in Germany