INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Conventional drones use visual sensors for navigation
However, environmental conditions like dampness, low light, and dust can hinder their effectiveness, limiting their use in disaster-stricken
Researchers from Japan have developed a novel bio-hybrid drone by combining robotic elements with odor-sensing antennae from silkworm moths
Their innovation, which integrates the agility and precision of robots with biological sensory mechanisms, can enhance the applicability of
drones in navigation, gas sensing, and disaster response.Technological advances have led to the development of drones with diverse
applications, including navigation, gas sensing, infrastructure and transportation, imaging, and disaster response
Conventional navigation systems in drones rely on visual sensors like thermal imaging and light detection and ranging (LiDAR)
However, environmental conditions such as low light, dust, and moisture can compromise their function, highlighting the need for more
versatile alternatives.Researchers from Shinshu University and Chiba University develop a novel bio-hybrid drone using odor-sensing antennae
Incorporation of an electroantennography (EAG) sensor to detect odorants and optimization of the electrode and enclosure structure in the
robot enhanced the odor search range, detection precision, and system performance of the drone, thus, improving its application in diverse
environments.Image credit: Daigo Terutsuki from Shinshu University, JapanIn nature, animals, birds, and insects have an inherent navigation
system based on their sense of smell that helps them locate food sources, evade predators, and attract potential mates, thereby promoting
Insects, in particular male moths, can detect windborne sex pheromones from distances that, in some cases, extend to several kilometers
through a process known as odor-source localization.Bio-hybrid drones that integrate these biological sensory mechanisms with advanced
artificial machinery hold significant promise in overcoming the challenges associated with existing robotic technologies.In this context, a
team of researchers led by Associate Professor Daigo Terutsuki from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, Faculty of
Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Japan, along with Associate Professor Toshiyuki Nakata and Chihiro Fukui from Chiba
University, Japan, have used silkworm moth antennae to develop a novel bio-hybrid drone capable of odor sensing and tracking
In this research, we strive to incorporate the dynamic movements and mechanisms of living organisms to dramatically enhance the performance
of our odor-tracking drones
We initiated this study with the belief that these advancements will enable more effective odor detection and broaden applications in rescue
The image includes a schematic diagram illustrating the interrelationship between the electroantennography (EAG) sensor (i.e., the odor
sensor) and its enclosure, highlighting the innovative design that enhances odor detection sensitivity and system efficiency.Image credit:
Daigo Terutsuki from Shinshu University, JapanPreviously, the researchers developed a bio-hybrid drone equipped with an electroantennography
(EAG) sensor based on insect antennae with high sensitivity and specificity
However, its applications were limited by a short detection range of less than two meters
In the current study, the team has enhanced the primary version by further incorporating mechanisms that mimic the biological process in
Insects pause intermittently during the odor-tracking process to improve search precision
However, robotic odor-search models lack such pauses in their operation which may impact their range of detection.To address this, the
They also redesigned the electrodes and EAG sensor to more effectively accommodate the structure of silkworm moth antennae
The seamless interface between the gain-modulable (responsive to electrical signal intensities) EAG sensor and the insect antennae
significantly improved the performance and operability of the system.Additionally, the team used a funnel-shaped enclosure to reduce airflow
resistance and applied a conductive coating inside the enclosure to minimize noise interference from electrostatic charging
These modifications resulted in superior odor-source sensing under varied environmental conditions and odorant concentrations, with an
effective detection range of up to 5 meters.The diverse applicability of the odor-sensing bio-hybrid drone could potentially revolutionize
gas leak detection in critical infrastructures, early fire detection, enhance public security at airports by detecting hazardous substances
like drugs and explosives, and enable better disaster response by improving rescue operations.Representative flight trajectory of the
advanced bio-hybrid drone utilizing the three-stepped rotation algorithm to search for the odor source
The drone successfully traced the pheromone plume of female silkworm moths over an approximate distance of 5 m, demonstrating its enhanced
navigation capability and potential for applications in dynamic environments.Image credit: Dr
Daigo Terutsuki from Shinshu University, JapanThis technology can be particularly useful in geographical regions that are more prone to
to the absence of a definitive technology capable of efficiently locating individuals in distress
The advanced bio-hybrid drone developed in this study has the potential to enable responders to rapidly locate survivors by tracking odors,
