CRCNS: Innovative Technologies Inspired by Biosonar

Our collaborative research group combines empirical and theoretical work to develop and test models of central nervous system (CNS) control in adaptive sensorimotor behaviors. In turn, these studies are used to guide the fabrication of artificial neural systems whose architecture and design principles are based on those of biological nervous systems. Our empirical studies employ an animal model that has evolved a highly successful adaptive sonar-guidance system, the echolocating bat. This mammal actively controls the temporal and spectral characteristics of its sonar vocalizations as it negotiates obstacles and pursues flying insect prey. We can therefore utilize the animal’s flight trajectories, dynamic patterns of sonar signal production and CNS recordings to measure and model behavioral state changes that vary with task and information load. Our project includes three inter-related research thrusts: 1) Behavioral and neural recording telemetry studies of free-flying echolocating bats engaged in insect capture and obstacle avoidance tasks. 2) Control systems modeling of flight trajectories and vocalizations of echolocating bats to characterize changing behavioral states in a dynamic environment and 3) extracting control systems synthesis principles for applications in robotics and neuromorphic engineering. Collectively, our research has wide-ranging impact on neuroscience, neuroscience techniques, robotics design, control theory, and the design of assistive medical devices. Below is a summary of the research activities carried out in the first year of our funded project, with a start-date of August 1, 2004.