Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, Osaka University, and Hiroshima University have developed an advanced algorithm enabling cyborg insect swarms to navigate challenging terrains, an innovation published in Nature Communications. This development could facilitate applications in disaster relief, search-and-rescue operations, and infrastructure inspections.
Cyborg insects are live insects outfitted with electronic devices, such as sensors, batteries, and communication systems, enabling remote control of their movements. NTU’s Professor Hirotaka Sato, a pioneer in this field, first demonstrated control over a single cyborg insect in 2008. Subsequent research explored their potential in search-and-rescue scenarios, particularly in collaboration with Singapore’s Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) and Klass Engineering and Solutions.
The new swarm navigation system employs a leader-follower dynamic, where one insect guides a group of 19 others. The leader is programmed with a destination, and its electronic backpack communicates with the rest of the swarm, enabling coordinated movement. This system enhances efficiency by allowing the insects to assist one another when encountering obstacles or becoming stuck, leveraging their natural instincts for collaborative navigation.
Madagascar hissing cockroaches were used in the experiments, equipped with lightweight circuit boards and rechargeable batteries. The algorithm significantly reduced the need for manual nudging of the insects, cutting it by about 50% compared to earlier methods. This approach enhances energy efficiency, as the insects’ own locomotion powers movement while the backpacks provide guidance through electrical stimulation.
Prof. Sato highlighted the practical implications of this technology in scenarios where traditional robots struggle, such as navigating narrow spaces in disaster zones. The cyborg insects can detect targets using sensors and transmit wireless alerts to a control system, offering a novel solution for tasks like locating survivors or identifying structural defects.
Co-corresponding authors Prof. Masaki Ogura from Hiroshima University and Prof. Wakamiya Naoki from Osaka University emphasized the significance of their algorithm in achieving real-world results. Prof. Wakamiya noted that the relaxed control method allowed for emergent cooperative behaviors among the insects, demonstrating the adaptability of biohybrid systems.
Future research aims to extend the algorithm’s capabilities to include coordinated tasks like transporting objects and validating the system in outdoor environments, such as disaster rubble. This work highlights the interdisciplinary collaboration necessary to advance biohybrid swarm technologies for practical applications.
Photocredit: NTU Singapore
