A study on locomotion control of cyborg crabs via electrical stimulation

• Main Author: Theh, Patrick Soon Pheng
• Other Authors: Hirotaka Sato
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Engineering::Bioengineering; Engineering::Aeronautical engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/150593
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In recent years, extensive studies were done on insect biobots to control and deploy them to assist in search and rescue operations. The focus of the current studies on insect biobots for search and rescue operations are usually incapable of going into water. However, there are instances where biobots with the capability to go underwater are required such as aftermath of tsunamis to search for survivors. Therefore, in this report, we will look at Rainbow crab (Cardisoma armatum) as a potential candidate to be transformed into a cyborg crab (biobot). To do so, we will need to find a suitable method to control the crab’s locomotion. Literature reviews are conducted on insect biobots, other biobots that are able to go underwater and crabs to learn and gain insight that can help with idea generation for possible methods used to control locomotion of crabs. After experiments and trials, electrical stimulation is identified as a potential method, experiments will then be conducted on Rainbow crabs in a controlled lab environment to determine the reliability of electrical stimulation in controlling their movements. The results are recorded and the findings suggest a real possibility in using Rainbow crab as biobots in the future for sea search and rescue operations.