Abstract
Biological mechanosensation has been a source of inspiration for advancements in artificial sensory systems. Animals rely on sensory feedback to guide and adapt their behaviors and are equipped with a wide variety of sensors that carry stimulus information from the environment. Hair and hair-like sensors have evolved to support survival behaviors in different ecological niches. Here, we review the diversity of biological hair and hair-like sensors across the animal kingdom and their roles in behaviors, such as locomotion, exploration, navigation, and feeding, which point to shared functional properties of hair and hair-like structures among invertebrates and vertebrates. By reviewing research on the role of biological hair and hair-like sensors in diverse species, we aim to highlight biological sensors that could inspire the engineering community and contribute to the advancement of mechanosensing in artificial systems, such as robotics.
Highlights
Introduction and Hair-like Structures in the Across the animal kingdom, organisms have evolved specialized sensory systems to contend with complex environments and respond to biologically relevant stimuli
We focus on the morphology, anatomical location, and proposed functions of mechanosensory hairs in vertebrate and invertebrate species
While important knowledge comes from careful measurements of the physical properties of mechanosensory hairs, and some excellent research has been done in the area [6,7,8,9], we only touch upon such measurements here, as published work is too limited to review in a comparative context
Summary
Mechanosensory hairs and hair-like structures have evolved in diverse species to carry information for the coordination of movements for locomotion. Like flies and caterpillars, rely on strong adhesive gripping to navigate difficult terrain and adhere to vertical surfaces, which is enabled through specialized hair pads [40,41,42] These specialized structures in insects aid in coordinating locomotion that enables organisms to inhabit challenging environments and occupy diverse ecological niches. In addition to locomotion on surfaces and substrates, sensory hairs play an important role in supporting flight behaviors in insects and bats These sensors can effectively and rapidly detect changes in airflow patterns arising from the environment (i.e., changes in weather and wind conditions) and enable coordinated flight and movement. Future research on the mechanical and neurobiological mechanisms that enable high sensitivity and directionality of mechanosensory hairs guiding locomotion will enable greater agility of artificial systems equipped with sensors to travel on land or air
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