Hello world!

Apply now for Graduate School Scholarships (UQGSS), and VinGroup scholarship to join our lab!

The UQ Biorobotics Lab is at the interface of robotics and biology, where we explore the remarkable world of insect-machine hybrid robots, commonly known as cyborg insects. We focus on developing novel biorobotic platforms by integrating miniature control backpacks with living insects. These systems offer exceptional agility, low energy consumption, and the ability to navigate complex terrains, making them ideal candidates for search and rescue missions, exploration of inaccessible environments, and structural inspections. Our research also delves into the biomechanics of insect locomotion and insect structure and function, from walking to flying. We employ cutting-edge tools, including fast lock-on tracking and wireless stimulators, to capture high-resolution data on insect movement and muscle function in untethered conditions. This allows us to investigate how insects adapt to diverse environments, helping to solve critical biological questions related to their behaviour. We also explore bio-inspired robotics, drawing on the unique capabilities of insects to inspire next-generation robotic systems. Through our interdisciplinary work, we aim to unlock the full potential of cyborg insects for real-world applications, while uncovering the secrets of insect biomechanics and translating them into artificial platforms.

News and Events

April 2026: The VietFruitRise project has received a funding through Aus4Innovation to support climate adaptation for mango and durian farmers in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta with an AI-powered pollination management system.

April 2026: Exciting news! Dan (Quang Hung Nguyen) is back in the lab to begin his PhD journey in bio-inspired devices with a UQ Graduate School Scholarship. We’re excited to work with Dan as he learns from nature and translates those insights into engineering applications.

February 2026: What a great start! Nhan and Duoc’s “Burst Stimulation” paper for Zoborg has been accepted for publication in Cyborg and Bionic Systems, a Science Partner Journal.

January 2026: Amazing news! Oscar and Nhan’s paper on a new underwater cyborg platform has been accepted to IEEE RoboSoft 2026. Nhan will present the work this April in Kanazawa.

January 2026: We’re pleased to welcome Phuc Phan to the lab for his PhD on the Smart Mosquito Trap, funded by an NHMRC Ideas Grant. This next-generation technology aims to help fight mosquito-borne diseases by detecting and reporting disease hotspots in real time.

January 2026: Thang co-organized the “Next-Gen Robotics” Symposium alongside UQ experts Prof. Pauline Pounds and A/Prof. Jen Jen Chung, in collaboration with Thai Mai Thanh from VinUniversity. The symposium brought together leading researchers and industry partners to explore cutting-edge developments in robotics, featuring speakers from prominent institutions in Vietnam. It was also a valuable opportunity to visit leading robotics companies VinMotion, VinRobotics, and VinDynamics, which are advancing “Made in Vietnam” humanoid technologies with impressive progress supported by strong, multidisciplinary talents.

  • December 2025: Great news! Nhan’s review paper on terrestrial cyborg insects has been accepted for publication in Advanced Intelligent Systems.
  • December 2025: Exciting that Thang has been awarded the Hidden Vale Conservation Research Support Grant to develop new technologies for the soft release of wildlife animals.
  • November 2025:Congratulations to Nhan on successfully passing his PhD confirmation with impressive progress!
  • October 2025: Huge congrats to Lachie, who has won the Best Poster Award for his presentation on on-demand climbing control for Zoborg at the IROS 2025 workshop Bioinspired and Biohybrid (Cyborg) Systems.
  • October 2025: Lachie will present 2 papers on Zoborg at IEEE CBS 2025 in Beijing and have a poster presentation with flash talk at IROS 2025 in Hangzhou.
  • September 2025: We’re excited to share our vision for the future of search and rescue with cyborg insects in NBC News’ The Future of Everything.
  • July 2025: It was a great experience organizing the event “Harnessing Nature for Robotic Innovation” with the Association of Vietnamese Experts and Scholars. The event brought together more than 60 school students of various ages, showcasing our research in biohybrid systems and bioinspired robotics.
  • May 2025: Thang joins the Tech Driven Innovations panel at the World Science Festival Queensland Student Day in Townsville, showcasing cyborg insects and how biology and technology combine to solve real-world challenges for students.
  • Apr 2025: Huge thanks to Science Magazine for the interview and for creating a stunning video showcasing our work on Fast Lock-On tracking!
  • Mar 2025: We are thrilled to launch the 2025 UQ Robotics Seminar Series, bringing together leading researchers in robotics, AI, and automation from UQ, across Queensland, Australia, and beyond. Join us for engaging talks featuring Prof. Jeff Krichmar (28 Feb), Dr. Tyson Phillips (14 Mar), Dr. Brendan Tidd (21 Mar), Students: Vedant Bhandari, Hai Nhan Le, Haiyuan Liu (28 Mar), Dr. Kasra Khosoussi (4 Apr), Dr. Ruirui Qiao (11 May), Dr. Alistair Grinham (2 May), Lucas Carvalho de Lima (9 May), Students: Nicholas Joseph Smith, Jon van de Kreek (30 May), and Dr. Kasra Khosoussi (6 June). 📍 Location: The University of Queensland | 🕒 Time: 3:00 PM (AEST). Stay tuned for updates and be part of the conversation shaping the future of robotics!
  • Feb 2025: We teamed up with UQ Neurotech to host an exciting open lab tour for incoming UQ students during the 2025 Sem 1 O-Week! The event featured recent exciting results from Lachie and Nhan as well as hands-on demonstrations of cyborg insects, giving students a chance to engage with biohybrid robotics research in the lab.
  • Dec 2024: ABC News featured our groundbreaking research on cyborg insects and fast lock-on tracking, showcasing how UQ Biorobotics are paving the way for life-saving applications in search-and-rescue and environmental monitoring.
  • Nov 2024: Thang delivered an engaging talk at the annual meeting of the Association of Vietnamese Experts and Scholars in Queensland (AVESQ), showcasing UQ’s cutting-edge advancements in Biorobotics, including cyborg insects, insect-inspired robots, and innovative insect tracking technologies.
  • Nov 2024: Thang electrified an audience of around 400 Year 8 and Year 9 students (70% from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds) from 10 high schools across Brisbane during his keynote talk on Biorobotics at the UQ STEM Spotlight event. With a thrilling live demo of Cyborg Insects and insect-inspired robots, he showcased how the lab is harnessing the wonders of biology to build innovative robots and using cutting-edge robotics to unravel fascinating biological mysteries, inspiring Australia’s next generation of scientists and engineers!
  • Nov 2024: Our Cyborg Insect research, spotlighted on CNN’s Tech for Good, 9News and theSun, demonstrates its transformative potential for future search and rescue missions. As Australia’s only institute training the next generation of experts in this life-saving technology, UQ is driving new capabilities in search, rescue, and disaster readiness for Queensland and Australia.
  • Nov 2024: Thang gave a keynote talk on Biohybrid robots from living insects at the first ever Australian Soft Robotics Symposium while Lachie won the first ever Best Poster Award.
  • Oct 2024: We organized the IROS 2024 workshop “Bio-Inspired, Biomimetic, and Biohybrid (Cyborg) Systems,” featuring an exciting lineup of visionary speakers and dynamic poster presentations across these cutting-edge interdisciplinary fields. Thanks Cyborg and Bionic Systems, A Partner Journal and AAAS for the sponsorship.
  • Sep 2024: Welcome Hai Nhan Le who has joined the lab as a new PhD student. Nhan will work on new cyborg insect platforms and practical applications for cyborg insects.

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