Roaches Inspire Technology
Orbital Research engineers are developing avoidance-collision and missile interceptor technologies based on the nervous system of cockroaches.
Research conducted at Case Western Reserve University played a key role in mapping the cockroach’s biological escape response, which Orbital used to develop an escape-response circuit.
The circuit was installed in a small remote-controlled car equipped with ultrasonic sensors to detect objects.
Orbital refers to the system as BioAvert, which stands for Biologically Inspired Autonomous Vehicle Escape Reflex Tactic, and hopes its applications can be utilized by civilian to military facilities.
The company also conducted technology trials of BioAvert in remote-controlled planes. Tests were successful in demonstrating the system’s ability to avoid impacts with objects, or collide with objects if used in targeting mode.
Orbital engineer Ravi Vaidyanathan notes BioAvert makes automatic, unplanned decisions to avoid collisions, just as a cockroach’s nervous system responds unpredictability to a threat.
The company plans to next test the system using unmanned vehicles and indicated that eventual applications could include use in military or commercial aircraft guidance systems.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Cleveland Plain Dealer Online (04/02/03); Albrecht, Brian E. .