Natural systems retain significant advantages over engineered systems in many aspects, including size and versatility. Researchers have developed a hybrid robotic system using American (Periplaneta americana) and discoid (Blaberus discoidalis) cockroaches that uses the natural locomotion and robustness of the insect. A tethered control system was firstly characterized using American cockroaches, wherein implanted electrodes were used to apply an electrical stimulus to the prothoracic ganglia. Using this approach, larger discoid cockroaches were engineered into a remotely controlled hybrid robotic system. Locomotion control was achieved through electrical stimulation of the prothoracic ganglia, via a remotely operated backpack system and implanted electrodes. The backpack consisted of a microcontroller with integrated transceiver protocol, and a rechargeable battery. The hybrid discoid roach was able to walk, and turn in response to an electrical stimulus to its nervous system with high repeatability of 60%.
The researchers also tried inserting electrodes into the animal's antennae sockets to control its behaviour – in essence, tricking the roach into sensing an obstruction ahead and so moving in the other direction – but found that direct stimulation of the nervous system was more effective. The antennae-socket route had been taken in earlier studies and is also how a commercialised version of a similar experiment by a different group operates.
Other species have also been assimilated: other researchers piloted a live moth and other researchers controlled a rat.
Discoid cockroach with attached electronic backpack (battery on top, board attached to the forewings). The electrodes enter the body through the pronotum. (Online version in colour.)
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