The study of dragonfly prey capture is particularly interesting because of their high rate of prey success, up to 97% percent. Dragonflies intercept their prey rather than chasing it, a method that when understood has applications in fields where interception with the target is of extreme importance
The current research involves probing the insect’s Target-Selective Descending Neurons, or TSDNs, the neural pathways responsible for prey interception. This research setup utilizes a high-speed projector to create an image that is used to stimulate these nerves with motion simulating a small insect. For my senior project I have built a parallel cable robot with the same goal in mind: the simulation of movement of small flying insect prey. A robot can be utilized in environment where the projector cannot, (outside for example) and is not limited by a fixed frame rate, providing smooth continuous motion. Four motors operate synchronously to create translational motion in a marker suspended by four cables converging to a point. This apparatus provides an interesting new way to collect more dragonfly TSDN data.