The Modulation and control of the gecko’s foot movement

• Published in: Journal of bionics engineering Vol. 2; no. 3; pp. 151 - 156
• Main Authors: Guo, Ce, Dai, Zhen-dong, Ji, Ai-hong, Wang, Wei-ying, Sun, Jiu-rong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China%College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100087, P. R. China 01.09.2005
• Subjects: gecko's toes; gecko; artificial controlled movements
• ISSN: 1672-6529; 2543-2141
• DOI: 10.1007/BF03399491

The modulation and control of gecko's foot movements were studied electrophysiologically in order to design the motor control system of a gecko-mimic robot. In this study (1) the anatomy of the peripheral nerves controlling the gecko's foot movements was determined; ( 2 ) the relationship between the limb nerves of the gecko and its foot motor patterns was studied; (3) the afferent impulses of the nerves evoked by rubbing the gecko's toes and palm were recorded; (4) copying the natural patterns of movement of the gecko's foot ( abduction, adduction, flexion, and revolution) and its limb nerve modulation and control mechanism, the nerves were stimulated under computer control, and the results recorded by CCD. Results suggest that gecko's foot movements can be successfully controlled by artificial electrical signals.