Thesis subject
How do bees visually control flight?
Honey bee flight is a marvel of nature, combining agility, precision, and complex sensory processing to navigate the world. In our research on honey bee flight control, in collaboration with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra, we delve into the fascinating mechanisms that these tiny insects use to regulate their flight speed in three dimensions.
Using an innovative approach, we place honey bees in a state-of-the-art virtual reality tunnel equipped with LED walls displaying dynamic patterns. This setup allows us to simulate different environmental conditions and observe how bees adjust their speed and trajectory in response to visual stimuli.
This research takes place during the summer months, from November to May, providing students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on experimental work under the warm Australian sun. By joining this project, students will explore the intersection of biology, robotics, and neuroscience, uncovering the sophisticated ways in which honey bees process visual information to perform seemingly effortless flight manoeuvres. This project not only contributes to our understanding of insect navigation but also holds potential applications in the development of autonomous flight systems and robotics.
Students will gain valuable experience with cutting-edge technology, data analysis, and experimental design, all while working in a collaborative and dynamic research environment at UNSW ADFA. This is an excellent opportunity for those passionate about biology, engineering, and the potential of biomimicry to drive innovation.
Interested? Please contact us via ezo.thesis@wur.nl or talk about the options with Martin Lankheet.