Estimation of Self-Motion for Gaze and Flight Stabilization in Flying Insects

Abstract

: The stunning maneuverability of flying insects has attracted much attention from biologists and engineers over past decades. Biologists, fascinated by insect flight performance, have taken several different approaches when investigating how the insect nervous system computes signals in powerful closed–loop motor control circuits. So far, quantitative behavioral experiments, the measurement of electrical activity in the nervous system, and modeling studies have mainly been focusing on individual sensory mechanisms contributing to the functional organization of stabilization reflexes. Recently it became obvious, however, that it is the orchestration of several sensory mechanisms, operating in parallel, which enables motor control over an extended dynamic range. Current research aims at discovering general principles in multisensor fusion and sensor-rich feedback control that flying insects have evolved to master stabilization tasks during flight. Engineers follow the latest progress with excitement wondering whether biological control systems may inspire the design of technical applications in man-made devices.