Research Progress and Challenges in Cyborg Insects

摘要

As novel insect-machine systems, cyborg insects are constructed of control modules and insects. Inheriting excellent kinetic performance from the insect platforms, these new robots are characterized by simplicity, invisibility and low power. This paper proposes the definition of cyborg insects and discusses their main features firstly. With the help of our research experience concerning cyborg honeybees, we review the main results and discuss the research challenges in a research framework including neural mechanisms, stimulus methods, electrode-tissue interface, micro stimulus systems and wireless data transmission with limited resources. In addition, we discuss the research trends and potential applications and envision the novel cyborg systems combining the biological intelligence and artificial intelligence in the forthcoming future.