Behaving cyborg locusts for standoff chemical sensing

Abstract

Cyborg insects provide a unique platform to implement autonomous robotics on a large scale. Compared to vertebrates, insect cyborgs can be deployed in swarms and at a significantly lower cost. In this paper, we propose a cyborg sensing platform that leverages the acute olfactory sensing capability of locusts (Schistocerca americana) for standoff detection of target chemicals. Contrary to cyborg sensing technologies that are based on implantable neural devices, the proposed platform relies on extraneous palp tracking which can be measured non-invasively for extended periods of time. In this work, locusts are conditioned (trained) to respond (move their palp) to a specific target odor and the palp movements are measured in real-time using a silver-enhanced infrared reflectance technique. The measured results correlate well with a gold-standard palp tracking method. The efficacy of our platform based on behavioral readout is demonstrated for non-invasive chemical sensing.