Sensory signals of unloading in insects are tuned to distinguish leg slipping from load variations in gait: experimental and modeling studies
Christian M. Harris, Nicholas S. Szczecinski, Ansgar Büschges, Sasha N. Zill
Abstract
Decreases in loading of legs are important in the regulation of posture and walking in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Recordings of activities of tibial campaniform sensilla, which encode forces in insects, showed that their responses are specifically tuned to detect force decreases at the end of the stance phase of walking or when a leg slips. These results have been reproduced in a mathematical model of the receptors and also have potential applications in robotics.
Topics & Concepts
SlippingGaitSensory systemNeurosciencePhysical medicine and rehabilitationBiologyComputer scienceEngineeringMedicineStructural engineeringRobotic Locomotion and ControlBiomimetic flight and propulsion mechanismsMuscle activation and electromyography studies