Imaging dipole flow sources using an artificial lateral-line system made of biomimetic hair flow sensors

J R Soc Interface. 2013 Apr 17;10(83):20130162. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2013.0162. Print 2013 Jun 6.

Abstract

In Nature, fish have the ability to localize prey, school, navigate, etc., using the lateral-line organ. Artificial hair flow sensors arranged in a linear array shape (inspired by the lateral-line system (LSS) in fish) have been applied to measure airflow patterns at the sensor positions. Here, we take advantage of both biomimetic artificial hair-based flow sensors arranged as LSS and beamforming techniques to demonstrate dipole-source localization in air. Modelling and measurement results show the artificial lateral-line ability to image the position of dipole sources accurately with estimation error of less than 0.14 times the array length. This opens up possibilities for flow-based, near-field environment mapping that can be beneficial to, for example, biologists and robot guidance applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials*
  • Biomimetics*
  • Fishes / physiology
  • Hair*
  • Lateral Line System*
  • Mechanoreceptors
  • Models, Biological