An insect-inspired biomimetic polarisation sensor and sky-compass
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1
Centre of Excellence in Cognitive Interaction Technology, Bielefeld University, Germany
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2
German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, Germany
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3
Universitaet Marburg, Fachbereich Biologie, Germany
It is by now accepted that insects can make use of the polarisation pattern of the sky to navigate over long distances, but the precise mechanisms have still not been completely elucidated. To investigate the polarisation properties natural scenes, we developed a lightweight, portable, miniature polarisation vision system, featuring full hemispherical coverage in an insect-relevant spectral range. To this system, we applied a biomimetic spatial filtering array which was constructed using histological and anatomical investigations of the dorsal rim area in the locust, and combined this with a neuronal response model to develop a 'map' of the polarised sky as seen by a locust. Based on this biomimetic representation, we propose a robust global compass which can reliably detect orientation under a variety of atmospherical conditions using only the limited spectral information and field of view available to an insect DRA.
Acknowledgements
Professor Dr Uwe Homberg, Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, Universitaet Marburg
Professor Dr Martin Egelhaaf, Department of Neurobiologie, Universitaet Bielefeld
References
Berry, M. V., Dennis, M. R., and Lee Jr, R. L. (2004). Polarisation singularities in the clear sky. New Journal of Physics 6, 162.
Brines, M. L., and Gould, J. L. (1982). Skylight polarisation patterns and animal orientation. J. Exp. Biol. 96, 69-91.
Fent, K. (1986). Polarized skylight orientation in the desert ant Cataglyphis. J. Comp. Physiol. A 158, 145-150.
Gal, G., Horvath, G., Meyer-Rochow, V. B., and Wehner, R. (2001). Polarisation patterns of the summer sky and its neutral points measured by full-sky imaging polarimetry in Finnish Lapland north of the Arctic Circle. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 457, 1385-1399.
Homberg, U., and Paech, A. (2002). Ultrastructure and orientation of ommatidia in the dorsal rim area of the locust compound eye. Arthropod Structure and Development 30, 271-280.
Labhart, T. (1988). Polarisation-opponent interneurons in the insect visual system. Nature 331, 435-437.
Labhart, T., and Meyer, E. P. (1999). Detectors for polarised skylight in insects: a survey of ommatidial specialisations in the dorsal rim area of the compound eye. Microscopy Research and Technique 47, 368-379.
Keywords:
Biomimicry,
Ethology,
insect vision,
navigation,
polarization,
Sensor
Conference:
Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology, College Park. Maryland USA, United States, 5 Aug - 10 Aug, 2012.
Presentation Type:
Poster (but consider for Participant Symposium)
Topic:
Orientation and Navigation
Citation:
Carey
N,
Stuerzl
W,
Vukanovic
S,
Pfeiffer
K and
Elbrechter
C
(2012). An insect-inspired biomimetic polarisation sensor and sky-compass.
Conference Abstract:
Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnbeh.2012.27.00199
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Received:
29 Apr 2012;
Published Online:
07 Jul 2012.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Nicole Carey, Centre of Excellence in Cognitive Interaction Technology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany, nic.carey@gmail.com