Insect-computer hybrid legged robot with user-adjustable speed, step length and walking gait

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Bio-hybrid systems
• Insect locomotion

Background:

• Insect locomotion is complex and not fully understood.
• Previous attempts at controlling insect movement have been limited.
• Integrating biological systems with robotics offers new possibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct and demonstrate a bio-hybrid robot using a living beetle.
• To achieve controlled locomotion in an insect through external stimulation.
• To enable user-adjustable walking gaits and speed in a living insect.

Main Methods:

• A living beetle (Mecynorrhina torquata) was used as the robotic platform.
• Eight pairs of electrodes were implanted to stimulate specific leg muscles.
• A microcontroller delivered electrical stimulation sequences to control muscle activation.

Main Results:

• Individual leg muscle stimulation elicited specific leg movements (protraction, retraction, levation, depression).
• Sequencing stimulation signals allowed for the performance of defined walking gaits.
• Varying stimulation duration controlled step frequency and walking speed.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first demonstration of controlled insect locomotion with user-adjustable gait and speed.
• The developed insect-computer hybrid robot opens new avenues for bio-hybrid robotics.
• This approach offers a novel method for studying and controlling biological movement.