From Insect Sense Organs to Biomimetic Walking Robots [Exploratory DSP

Abstract

In this article, we have pointed out several features of the sensory systems of insects that help these animals control their extraordinarily adaptable and agile locomotion on land. These impressive but often counterintuitive features allow the effects of sensory input to be adjusted continually according to the activity in which the insect is actively engaged, in contrast with hardwired reflexes that must be overcome as the animal switches from one activity to another. The pertinent question is how engineers can incorporate these and other features of biological systems into walking robots.