Multi-Cyborg Insect-Linked Formation for Object Transportation

Insects have a variety of sensors with micro-sensory organs such as compound eyes and antennas, and advanced walking ability with micro actuator mechanisms. If controlled by a control module, they can be used as small hybrid robots called insect cyborgs with high trampling performance and are expected to be utilized in disaster site exploration and environmental monitoring. In this study, we attempted to create swarm behavior by physically linking multiple cyborg cockroaches for transporting a mobile cart. The cyborg cockroaches were stimulated using cerci to trigger the move forward walking motion. Three cyborg cockroaches and two cockroaches were utilized to pull the mobile cart. Based on the result, we demonstrated that the locomotion of the cart can be steered to turn left, turn left, and move forward. The linked cyborg cockroaches were induced to behave by electrical stimulation and the other linked cockroaches showed follow-up behavior. We succeeded in controlling movement locomotion by electrically stimulating multiple cockroaches for object transportation from one place to another.