Hybrid chemical and electrical control over insect cyborg air vehicles

We present a novel hybrid control approach for insect micro air vehicle manipulation that employs both electrical and chemical stimulations signals to control the locomotive activity of Manduca sexta moths. We use an implanted microflui-dic device to wirelessly dispense neurotransmitters on command which modulate the metabolic behavior and flight performance of the insect, while supply DC pulses that provide a periodic stimulus and facilitate sustained flight. Briefly, we demonstrate that an L-Glutamic Acid solution can override the electrical stimulation signal and induce a reversible, temporary paralysis, and correlate flight performance and dose response using an indoor GPS system.