University of California, Berkeley biologists found a new use for the cockroach’s creepy crawly abilities.

Meet CRAM, a compressible robot with articulated mechanisms that resembles the reviled insect. The prototype can squeeze itself into a variety of crevices and can move at high speeds even after it flattens its body, according to UC Berkeley’s announcement.

This capability could signify possible disaster recovery applications. First responders could use CRAM as a way to learn if rubble is stable in the aftermath of an earthquake.

The scientists will publish their research this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, but you can watch how they got their inspiration below.