Question

read the passage. roach robots to the rescue when buildings collapse, it is extremely difficult to safely locate and rescue people trapped inside. victims may be wedged into small spaces, and unstable rubble could collapse on rescue workers. an alternative to human rescue workers may be robotic cockroaches. real cockroaches are protected by strong yet flexible exoskeletons and can also flatten their bodies through tiny cracks. a robotics researcher from harvard university and a biomechanics expert from the university of california, berkeley, were inspired to create mini robots that have the same features. the roach robots can squeeze through small spaces and skitter over unstable environments. fitted with cameras and microphones, they could be used in disasters to locate victims. what is the main, or central, idea of the passage? cockroach - like robots can fit through small cracks and move through unstable rubble. inspired by the strength and quickness of cockroaches, researchers created robots with the same characteristics. it is dangerous to search inside collapsed buildings, but cockroach - like robots can go places where human searchers cant or shouldnt.

Explanation:

The passage starts by highlighting the danger and difficulty of rescuing in collapsed - building scenarios. It then explains that researchers were inspired by real cockroaches' abilities to create roach - like robots with similar features, which can be used for rescue missions. The overall idea is about the creation of these robots due to cockroach inspiration for rescue purposes in dangerous environments.

Answer:

Inspired by the strength and quickness of cockroaches, researchers created robots with the same characteristics.