Bio-Inspired 3D-Printed Artificial Limb Assisting Cyborg Insects in Self-Righting Locomotion

Engineering Mechanical Engineering Information Science Artificial Intelligence Automation Bioengineering Life Sciences
Bio-Inspired 3D Printing Artificial Limb Cyborg Insects Self-Righting Rescue Missions

Research Background

Bionic 3D Printed Artificial Limb In rescue missions, to improve search and rescue efficiency, an emerging solution is the use of a combination of electronic backpacks and insects, known as cyborg insects. These insects combine the advantages of biological and electronic technologies, with additional electronic backpacks used for communication, sensing, and control. However, the attached devices can affect the insects’ balance, especially during their self-righting actions. If the insect experiences a fall or accidental impact while performing a task, the previously installed devices might cause it to topple and move improperly. To address this challenge, this study introduces a bionic 3D printed artificial limb that mimics the self-righting action of ladybugs, enhancing the flexibility of cyborg insects under complex and unpredictable conditions.

Source of the Study

This study was conducted by the team of Marc Josep Montagut Marques, Qiu Yuxuan, Hirotaka Sato, and Shinjiro Umezu. The authors are affiliated with the Department of Integrative Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering at Waseda University, Japan, and the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The paper is published in the 2024 issue of the journal npj | Robotics.

Research Workflow

Research Steps and Experimental Design

The research workflow includes the following key steps:

Step 1: Artificial Wing Design Inspired by the self-righting action of ladybugs, this study designs a bionic 3D printed artificial wing that incorporates logic control, motion sensors, energy storage, and active self-righting mechanisms. The geometry of the bionic wing is based on significant parameters extracted from the body curves and movement characteristics of ladybugs.

Step 2: Sophisticated 3D Printing Technology Utilizing digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology to manufacture the bionic wing ensures that the mechanical components produced can function effectively in disaster scenarios. Using common tools and materials makes it easier for other researchers to replicate and improve.

Step 3: Prototype Testing and Optimization Preliminary tests using simple wing models for self-righting movements showed that when connected to an electronic backpack via a pin joint, the wing could rotate 45 degrees. It was found that the bionic wing achieved a greater tilt angle, further increasing the self-righting success rate.

Self-righting Tests

The research team conducted tests under various environments with the following specific steps and results:

Step 1: Simulated Rescue Mission Surface Conditions Insects were placed on surfaces of three simulated rescue scenarios: flat paper, arranged pebbles, and hard wood mud. Insects were dropped from a height of 30 cm, observing their self-righting ability under different load conditions.

Step 2: Implementation of Accurate Angle Tests Testing slope angles on transparent acrylic boards to assess the insects’ self-righting success rate on inclined surfaces. In further experiments, the backpack was mounted on the insect to observe the dynamic response during the sliding process.

Experimental Results and Conclusions

Result 1: Exceptional Performance of the Bionic Wing The experiments showed that the bionic wing performed better on different surfaces, especially in the simulated rock and mud environments, where its self-righting success rate was significantly higher than other designs.

Result 2: Larger Tilt Angle and Higher Recovery Efficiency A key feature of the bionic wing is its ability to achieve a maximum self-righting angle of 150°, whereas insects with ordinary wings could only achieve up to 98°. Not only did it have a higher self-righting frequency, but the recovery time was also shorter than other designs.

Conclusions and Practical Applications This study demonstrates that the bio-inspired artificial limb design can effectively improve the self-righting ability of insects in complex and unpredictable environments. This lays a solid foundation for the use of cyborg insects in disaster rescue missions, possessing significant application value and scientific importance.

Research Highlights

  1. Innovative Design: The design of the bionic 3D printed artificial limb, combining the structural features and kinematics of natural ladybugs, showed a high success rate in self-righting.
  2. Feasibility of Practical Application: The study proved that these cyborg insects exhibited excellent performance in disaster environments, providing new solutions for practical rescue applications.
  3. Simplicity in Manufacturing and Design: Manufactured using common materials and tools, the methods are easy to replicate and can be widely applied in related research fields.

In the field of cyborg insects, the results of this study significantly advance the practical application of robotic insects, offering new insights for future rescue missions. It not only promotes the application of bionics and 3D printing technology in robotics but also provides a feasible, low-cost rescue tool, greatly enhancing search and rescue efficiency in complex disaster scenarios.