Sound Localization Sensors for Search and Rescue Biobots

Recent advances in neural engineering have enabled direct control of insect locomotion through neural and muscular stimulation. The resulting insect biobots, with a natural ability to crawl through small spaces, offer unique advantages over traditional synthetic robots. A cyberphysical network of such biobots could prove useful for search and rescue applications in uncertain disaster environments. We present a vision-based automated system for an objective assessment of biobotic navigation capability on Madagascar hissing cockroaches. We report the most precise control results obtained with insect biobots so far both manually and autonomously. We also demonstrate autonomous control capability where a low-power insect-mounted array of microphones was used to localize a sound source and guide the biobot toward it. Forming a wireless mobile sensor network with directional and omnidirectional microphones distributed within the structure of a rubble pile could be useful for both environmental mapping and localization of trapped survivors under the rubble.