Remote radio controlled insect-computer hybrid legged robot

Abstract

We demonstrated the remote walking control of a live beetle (Mecynorrhina torquata) by using a miniature muscle stimulation system with wireless communication capability. The wireless backpack consisted of eight muscle stimulation channels and was programmed to elicit the leg motions in different predefined sequences. With regard to the strategies adopted by voluntary walking insects to change their step frequency and hence to achieve the desired walking speed, walking control protocol was then designed and applied to the insect-computer hybrid robot. Similar to voluntary walking insects, a directly proportional relationship between the elicited step frequency and the walking speed had been achieved. This is first demonstration of remotely controlled insect-computer hybrid robot via sequential stimulation of leg muscles, and the first demonstration of walking control of an insect-computer hybrid robot to achieve directly proportional relationship between the step frequency and walking speed.