BPN451: A Cyborg Beetle: Insect Flight Control by a Neural Stimulator

Despite major advances, performance of micro air vehicles (MAV's) is still limited in terms of size, payload capacity, endurance, and controllability. Various species of insects have as-yet unmatched flight capabilities and increasingly well understood muscular and nervous systems. Additionally, some of these insects undergo complete metamorphosis making them amenable to implantation and internal manipulation during metamorphosis. In light of this, we attempt to create implantable bio-interface to electrically stimulate nervous and muscular systems of alive insect to control its flight. Our first target is beetle for the insect platform, and we would like to call it 'cyborg beetle'.

Project end date: 02/06/12