With a wireless interface and tiny electrodes, the scientists say they are attempting to capitalize on the insects’ unique ability to scuttle in and out of the tiniest crevice. The goal is to wire the insect with microphones and/or a tiny camera and send them into disaster zones or collapsed buildings.

The research has been controversial and even people who don’t like cockroaches has objected to it on ethical grounds. But the scientists are dismissing their detractors by saying that what they do causes no pain to the cockroach and is no different then putting stirrup on a horse, something which we have done for thousands of years.
Original story by Ben Gruber for Reuters: