Insects with well developed flight muscles and sophisticated neuronal network signify nature's amazing flying machines which far surpass any human engineered initiative at this scale (e.g. micro air vehicles). The complicated mechanism of flight involving generation of flight response in the brain and delegation of control spikes to the flight muscles remains relatively unexplored and presents opportunity for advanced tools and techniques to further explore this area. In this project we intend to use advanced Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) to perform neuronal ensemble measurements on tethered insects and investigate the underlying mechanism for flight control. The results obtained from this research will not only provide further insight into this specialized insect behaviour but also enable development of advanced neuronal interfaces for future Hybrid Insect (Hi) MEMS applications such as the Cyborg Beetle.
Project end date: 02/06/12