Miniature Autonomous Odor-Guided Flight Vehicles for Chemical Verification: Establishing test and evaluation paradigms for the emerging technologies of bio-hybrid systems
Abstract
We propose a multi-prong effort to develop paradigms that can test and evaluate an emerging technology that integrates living bio-sensing structures into synthetic autonomous flight systems. Focusing on both basic science (genetic and molecular basis of odor sensing) and technology development (autonomous flight systems), we will combine gene editing technology with robotics in a miniature flight test platform that is capable of autonomously localizing and tracking odor plumes. To our knowledge, this bio-hybrid robotic system is the first of its kind. It is capable of autonomously localizing odor plumes while avoiding obstacles and maintaining stable flight. Moreover, with the potential to genetically modify the chemosensory pathways in an insect system, we predict that highly specific odors (or odor combinations) could be localized. As such, we propose a research program that will bring the power of gene editing (CRISPR technologies) to a bio-hybrid robotic system using insect olfactory neurons in extracted antennae.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2022
- Source ID
- FA95502110101XX0
Entities
People
- Jeffrey A. Riffell
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Washington