<p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eMNNbiZ2zhPFZiA5KLVAEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/66881fed9aeab4f2c1843aacd034fcc3?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="" width="1242" height="828" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eMNNbiZ2zhPFZiA5KLVAEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/66881fed9aeab4f2c1843aacd034fcc3"/></p>
<p>一只马达加斯加嘶鸣蟑螂在南洋理工大学的模拟场景中检查管道的底部，时间是 2 月 11 日。</p>
<p>新加坡 - 在深地下，一只蟑螂在黑暗潮湿的公用管道底部匆匆而过。</p>
<p>马达加斯加嘶鸣蟑螂正在执行检查腐蚀和泄漏的任务。</p>
<p>由南洋理工大学（NTU）的一组研究人员开发，这些昆虫是一个新试点项目的一部分，旨在彻底改变公用管道的维护方式。</p>
<p>该项目自 2025 年初开始开发，目前正在模拟环境中进行测试，该环境模拟了滨海高速公路（MCE）沿线的管道。</p>
<p>每只蟑螂都手动安装了一个小塑料 “车厢”，里面装有一个板载处理器和一个电子电路板——包含一个朝上的彩色摄像头、一个 LED 灯泡和一个用于位置跟踪和数据传输的通信模块。</p>
<p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cXb6Y0GQSV90bpJYX4H8Gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/cdd45998935573515c0e1bd27f0ceeda?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="" width="1242" height="828" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cXb6Y0GQSV90bpJYX4H8Gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/cdd45998935573515c0e1bd27f0ceeda"/></p>
<p>马达加斯加嘶鸣蟑螂配备了一个小塑料 “车厢”，里面装有一个板载处理器和一个电子电路板。昆虫拖着带轮的手推车沿着公用管道的底部检查缺陷。</p>
<p>平均而言，成年马达加斯加蟑螂长 6 厘米，比当地品种长 2 厘米。</p>
<p>附着在昆虫触角和尾部的电极发出微弱脉冲，模拟碰到障碍物的感觉，使研究人员能够无缝地引导蟑螂沿着预定路径移动。</p>
<p>检查过程是自动化的，依赖于机器学习算法来识别特定类型的管道缺陷。当检测到缺陷时，将会通知人工操作员。</p>
<p>目标是最终将它们部署到现实环境中。但首先需要克服一些障碍。</p>
<p>南洋理工大学机械与航空工程学院的首席研究员佐藤宏高教授表示：“实际的管道环境可能比受控测试条件更黑暗潮湿，可能会有水积聚。”</p>
<p>该试点项目是在 2025 年缅甸地震救援工作中成功部署 10 只半机械蟑螂之后开展的。</p>
<p>该项目由佐藤教授的团队与新加坡内政部科学与技术局和工程公司 Klass Engineering and Solutions 合作进行。</p>
<p>当时的设备——红外摄像头和传感器——设计得非常紧凑，使蟑螂能够在倒塌的结构和狭小空间中导航，寻找幸存者。</p>
<p>相比之下，佐藤教授表示：“基础设施检查发生在更结构化的环境中，” 这些环境通常具有可预测的地形。</p>
<p>“这使我们能够在提高传感能力和系统稳定性的同时，牺牲一定程度的紧凑性和灵活性，” 他补充道。</p>
<p>因此，拖车的设计增加了负载能力，并允许更稳定的成像和传感硬件。</p>
<p>佐藤教授表示，新模型减少了对昆虫的物理压力，从而提高了耐力和基础设施检查期间的整体操作稳定性。</p>
<p>团队目前正在同时开发救援和检查模型。进入基础设施检查的举措源于他们看到将研究适应于现实世界应用的机会。</p>
<p>“定期检查有助于及早发现问题，以便在更严重的损坏或干扰发生之前进行修复或更换工作，” 佐藤教授指出。</p>
<p>他强调，半机械昆虫体型小，非常适合 “进入人类无法轻易操作的狭小空间和缝隙，使其在多种环境中都能发挥作用”。</p>
<p>团队目前正在与政府机构讨论这种技术在现实世界基础设施检查中的应用。</p>
<p>新加坡拥有 6000 公里长的供水管网，每天为约 170 万户家庭和企业提供饮用水。</p>
<p>丹麦、中国和美国的大学也在开发用于管道检查的机器人。其中一个项目由中国广西大学的团队领导，成功原型化了一种软体仿生毛毛虫机器人，该机器人在 2025 年通过磁力在管道中爬行。</p>
<p>尽管半机械蟑螂目前设计用于公用管道，佐藤教授表示，所涉及的机器学习算法可以适应于寻找其他基础设施中的其他类型缺陷，如电信电缆和电缆。</p>
<p>如果这项技术在这里的现实世界应用中证明成功，佐藤教授对该项目的全球可扩展性充满信心，强调这一概念对其他面临老化地下基础设施的国家尤其相关。</p>
<p>他说：“管道材料和布局的差异可能会影响系统的适应方式，但核心能力仍然适用。”</p>
<p>来源：海峡时报 © SPH Media Limited。转载需经许可</p>
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<p>南洋理工大学（NTU）正在开发半机械化的蟑螂，以检查公用管道的腐蚀和泄漏。这些马达加斯加响尾蟑螂配备了一个小型车厢，里面装有摄像头和传感器，使它们能够导航并检测管道中的缺陷。该项目于 2025 年初启动，旨在利用机器学习实现自动化检查。团队还在探索其他基础设施类型的应用。与政府机构的讨论正在进行中，以在新加坡广泛的水管网络中实施这一技术</p>

<p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eMNNbiZ2zhPFZiA5KLVAEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/66881fed9aeab4f2c1843aacd034fcc3" alt="" original-src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eMNNbiZ2zhPFZiA5KLVAEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/66881fed9aeab4f2c1843aacd034fcc3"/></p>
<p>A Madagascar hissing cockroach inspecting the underside of a pipe in a mock-up scenario at Nanyang Technological University on Feb 11.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>一只马达加斯加嘶鸣蟑螂在南洋理工大学的模拟场景中检查管道的底部，时间是 2 月 11 日。</p>
</div><p>SINGAPORE - Deep underground, a cockroach scurries through the dark and damp underside of a utility pipe.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>新加坡 - 在深地下，一只蟑螂在黑暗潮湿的公用管道底部匆匆而过。</p>
</div><p>The Madagascar hissing cockroach, is on a mission to check for corrosion and leakage.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>马达加斯加嘶鸣蟑螂正在执行检查腐蚀和泄漏的任务。</p>
</div><p>Developed by a team of researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), these insects are part of a new pilot project aimed at revolutionising the maintenance of utility pipelines.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>由南洋理工大学（NTU）的一组研究人员开发，这些昆虫是一个新试点项目的一部分，旨在彻底改变公用管道的维护方式。</p>
</div><p>The project, which has been in development since early 2025,is currently being tested in a simulated environment modeled after pipes along the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE).</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>该项目自 2025 年初开始开发，目前正在模拟环境中进行测试，该环境模拟了滨海高速公路（MCE）沿线的管道。</p>
</div><p>Each cockroach is manually fitted with a small plastic “carriage” that houses an onboard processor and an electronic circuit board — containing an upward-facing colour video camera, an LED lightbulb and a communication module for location tracking and data transmission.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>每只蟑螂都手动安装了一个小塑料 “车厢”，里面装有一个板载处理器和一个电子电路板——包含一个朝上的彩色摄像头、一个 LED 灯泡和一个用于位置跟踪和数据传输的通信模块。</p>
</div><p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cXb6Y0GQSV90bpJYX4H8Gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/cdd45998935573515c0e1bd27f0ceeda" alt="" original-src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cXb6Y0GQSV90bpJYX4H8Gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/straits_times_442/cdd45998935573515c0e1bd27f0ceeda"/></p>
<p>The Madagascar hissing cockroaches are fitted with a small plastic “carriage” that houses an onboard processor and an electronic circuit board. The insect tows the wheeled cart along the underside of utility pipelines to check for defects.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>马达加斯加嘶鸣蟑螂配备了一个小塑料 “车厢”，里面装有一个板载处理器和一个电子电路板。昆虫拖着带轮的手推车沿着公用管道的底部检查缺陷。</p>
</div><p>On average, an adult Madagascar cockroach is 6cm long, 2cm longer than the local variety.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>平均而言，成年马达加斯加蟑螂长 6 厘米，比当地品种长 2 厘米。</p>
</div><p>Electrodes attached to the insects’ antennae and rear deliver weak pulses that simulate the feeling of bumping into an obstacle, allowing researchers to seamlessly steer the cockroaches along a desired path.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>附着在昆虫触角和尾部的电极发出微弱脉冲，模拟碰到障碍物的感觉，使研究人员能够无缝地引导蟑螂沿着预定路径移动。</p>
</div><p>The inspection process is automated and relies on a machine-learning algorithm to recognise specific types of pipe defects. When defects are detected, a human operator will be alerted.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>检查过程是自动化的，依赖于机器学习算法来识别特定类型的管道缺陷。当检测到缺陷时，将会通知人工操作员。</p>
</div><p>The goal is to eventually deploy them into the real-world environment. But there are some obstacles to overcome first.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>目标是最终将它们部署到现实环境中。但首先需要克服一些障碍。</p>
</div><p>Professor Hirotaka Sato from NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the lead researcher for the project, said: “Actual pipe environments may be darker and wetter, with possible water accumulation, compared to controlled testing conditions.”</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>南洋理工大学机械与航空工程学院的首席研究员佐藤宏高教授表示：“实际的管道环境可能比受控测试条件更黑暗潮湿，可能会有水积聚。”</p>
</div><p>The pilot projects follows the successful deployment of 10 cyborg cockroaches in search-and-rescue efforts during the 2025 Myanmar earthquake.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>该试点项目是在 2025 年缅甸地震救援工作中成功部署 10 只半机械蟑螂之后开展的。</p>
</div><p>That project was handled by Prof Sato’s team in partnership with Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency and engineering firm Klass Engineering and Solutions.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>该项目由佐藤教授的团队与新加坡内政部科学与技术局和工程公司 Klass Engineering and Solutions 合作进行。</p>
</div><p>The equipment then— infrared cameras and sensors—were designed to be extremely compact, allowing the cockroaches to navigate through collapsed structures and confined spaces to search for survivors.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>当时的设备——红外摄像头和传感器——设计得非常紧凑，使蟑螂能够在倒塌的结构和狭小空间中导航，寻找幸存者。</p>
</div><p>In contrast, Prof Sato said that “infrastructure inspection takes place in more structured environments,” with are more generally defined with predictable terrain.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>相比之下，佐藤教授表示：“基础设施检查发生在更结构化的环境中，” 这些环境通常具有可预测的地形。</p>
</div><p>“This allows us to trade some degree of compactness and agility for improved sensing capability and system stability,” he added.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>“这使我们能够在提高传感能力和系统稳定性的同时，牺牲一定程度的紧凑性和灵活性，” 他补充道。</p>
</div><p>The tow cart was thus designed, increasing load capacity and allowing more stable imaging and sensing hardware.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>因此，拖车的设计增加了负载能力，并允许更稳定的成像和传感硬件。</p>
</div><p>Professor Sato said the new model reduces physical strain on the insect, which improves endurance and overall operational stability during infrastructure inspection.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>佐藤教授表示，新模型减少了对昆虫的物理压力，从而提高了耐力和基础设施检查期间的整体操作稳定性。</p>
</div><p>The team is now developing both the rescue and inspection models simultaneously. The move into infrastructure inspection came about when they saw an opportunity to adapt their research for a real-world use case.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>团队目前正在同时开发救援和检查模型。进入基础设施检查的举措源于他们看到将研究适应于现实世界应用的机会。</p>
</div><p>“Regular inspection helps detect issues early, so that repair or replacement works can be carried out before more serious damage or disruption occurs,” Professor Sato noted.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>“定期检查有助于及早发现问题，以便在更严重的损坏或干扰发生之前进行修复或更换工作，” 佐藤教授指出。</p>
</div><p>Highlighting their small size, he said that cyborg insects are well-suited to “access tight spaces and crevices where humans cannot easily operate, making them useful in diverse environments”.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>他强调，半机械昆虫体型小，非常适合 “进入人类无法轻易操作的狭小空间和缝隙，使其在多种环境中都能发挥作用”。</p>
</div><p>The team is currently in discussion with government agencies regarding the application of such technology in real world infrastructure inspection.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>团队目前正在与政府机构讨论这种技术在现实世界基础设施检查中的应用。</p>
</div><p>Singapore has a 6,000km-long water pipeline network, which supplies potable water to around 1.7 million households and businesses daily.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>新加坡拥有 6000 公里长的供水管网，每天为约 170 万户家庭和企业提供饮用水。</p>
</div><p>Universities in Denmark, China, and the United States have also been developing robots for pipeline inspection. One such project, led by a team at China’s Guangxi University, successfully prototyped a soft, bionic inchworm robot that crawls through pipelines using magnetic force in 2025.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>丹麦、中国和美国的大学也在开发用于管道检查的机器人。其中一个项目由中国广西大学的团队领导，成功原型化了一种软体仿生毛毛虫机器人，该机器人在 2025 年通过磁力在管道中爬行。</p>
</div><p>Though the cyborg cockroach is currently designed for utility pipelines, Professor Sato said that the machine learning algorithm involved can be adapted to look for other types of defects in other infrastructure, like telecommunication cables and electrical cables.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>尽管半机械蟑螂目前设计用于公用管道，佐藤教授表示，所涉及的机器学习算法可以适应于寻找其他基础设施中的其他类型缺陷，如电信电缆和电缆。</p>
</div><p>Should this technology prove successful in real-world applications here, Professor Sato is confident about the project’s global scalability, stressing that the concept is particularly relevant for other countries grappling with ageing underground infrastructure.</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>如果这项技术在这里的现实世界应用中证明成功，佐藤教授对该项目的全球可扩展性充满信心，强调这一概念对其他面临老化地下基础设施的国家尤其相关。</p>
</div><p>He said: “Differences in pipe materials and layouts may influence how the system is adapted, but the core capability remains applicable.”</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>他说：“管道材料和布局的差异可能会影响系统的适应方式，但核心能力仍然适用。”</p>
</div><p>Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction</p>
<div class="lb-trans"><p>来源：海峡时报 © SPH Media Limited。转载需经许可</p>
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南洋理工大学正在研发电子机械蟑螂以检查管道