Combined actuator sensor unit for interaction with honeybees

Interacting with a specific animal society by integrating autonomous robot/s into the society, has become a powerful method to influence the behaviour of animals and investigate collective behaviour of both, animal and robot societies. In order to interact with animals, artificial unit/s should be well integrated into their society. In the European project ASSISIbf, a network of static autonomous robots called CASUs (Combined Actuator Sensor Units) for interaction with young honeybees has been designed. In the proposed approach CASUs can affect honeybees using three types of physical stimuli: heat, vibration and light. To provide feedback signals necessary for controlling CASU interaction with honeybees, accurate and reliable measurements of the stimuli are necessary. This paper describes the mechanical and electronic design of CASUs, capable of emitting controllable heat, vibration and light stimulations. Each CASU is equipped with temperature sensors, 3-axis accelerometers, infrared proximity sensors and microcontroller for data processing. Preliminary experimental results with honeybee groups are presented.