A novel biomimetic infochemical communication technology: From insects to robots

Abstract

In this paper we present the development of a novel, biologically-inspired infochemical communication technology in which mixtures of infochemical ligands (in precisely controlled ratios) are used to encode multiple channels of information. Our research is inspired by infochemical production and information processing within the insect world, more specifically the moth Spodoptera littoralis. We have developed a highly innovative modular chemoemitter-receiver system, capable of information transmission using chemicals alone. The functionality of the combined infochemical communication system has been demonstrated, initially through the development of a proof-of-concept prototype based upon pre-synthesized compounds; and it will ultimately be demonstrated through a coordinated robotteam navigation task.