This roach has been surgically implanted with a micro-robotic backpack that allows researchers to control its movements. This is Robo-roach.

“Insects can do many things that people can’t,” said Assistant Professor Isao Shimoyama, head of the bio-robot research team at Tokyo University. “The potential applications of this work for mankind could be immense.” Within a few years, Shimoyama says, electronically controlled insects carrying mini-cameras or other sensory devices could be used for a variety of sensitive missions – like crawling through earthquake rubble to search for victims, or slipping under doors on espionage surveillance.

Earthquakes are not destruction. They are natural renovation. If humans need to surveil, they can crawl in themselves. Or send this guy. We’ll be there.