wps/theme1

print

Theme 1 : Shape and Trajectory Data

WP 1.1 : Acquisition of Static Head, Pinna and Noseleaf Shapes

Objectives

  • Acquire initial shape data for each bat species using micro-CT methods.
  • Develop techniques to acquire shape data using Computer Vision methods.
  • Acquire shape data for each bat species using the Computer Vision methods.
  • Evaluate the new techniques' accuracy by comparison with micro-CT methods for Myotis daubentonii only.
  • Create realistic plastic heads of each of the four species for use in the acoustic modelling tests of Theme 2.

Description of work


First, full head morphology data will be captured using micro-CT for a small number of individuals of each of the four selected bat species. These data will be 3D-printed to make plastic heads as test objects for the next step.

Computer vision methods able to measure the static morphology of bat heads will be developed. The performance of the Computer Vision technique can readily be analysed and assessed by comparision between the results it obtains for the test heads and the micro-CT files used to create them.

The new CV technology will then be developed further enabling shape data to be captured from quiescent but living bats. The shape changes that take place due to loss of turgidity on death can then be evaluated and plastic heads printed.

Deliverables

D1.1.1
3D-printed heads from 4 species (M8)
D1.1.2
Evaluation of performance of Computer Vision methods for bat head shape measurement (M12)

WP 1.2 : Acquisition of Varying Shape Data from Behaving Bats

Objectives


  • Extend Computer Vision techniques to acquire shape data from deforming head morphology using Myotis daubentonii in Denmark.
  • Collect measurements of head morphology from all four bat species engaged in natural behaviours.

Description of work


Identify the types of shape deformation; devise the necessary representations and methods for computing the deformations from visual data.

Set up data capture experiments using suitably trained bats in Europe.

Collect data on the chosen bat species while they execute the different behaviours of interest, using high-speed camera and/or high-resolution shape sensor.

Analyse the measurement results to extract variation of morphology with behaviour.

Deliverables

D1.2.1
Morphology variation data for each bat species (M18 and iterating up to M30)
D1.2.2
Parameters/3D models of bat shapes varying during flight (M18 and iterating up to M30)

WP 1.3 : Compilation of 3D Trajectory-registered Data

Objectives


  • To record the 3D trajectories of bats engaged in natural behaviour.
  • To synchronise acoustic and morphology data with the bat's position in space.
  • Construct and publish a database of bat behavioural data comprising trajectory, acoustic, morphological and behaviour class information.

Description of work


Data will be captured by various sensors --- including acoustic multi-microphone recording of calls, high-speed camera recording of flight trajectories, and shape measurements using Computer Vision methods --- as bats engage in normal behaviour. The bat's flight trajectory can be recovered from these sensor data using triangulation techniques.

By analysing the trajectory and the various sensor data collected here and as part of WP 1.2 and 2.2, a database of bat behaviour will be constructed in which head morphology and its variation, emitted calls, and bat behaviour type (e.g. hunting, searching, capture) are recorded in synchronisation with bat position and orientation in space.

Deliverables

D1.3.1
Annotated bat flight, shape and behavioural data for each selected bat species to put on the website created under WP 0.2 (M12, M22, M33), delivered incrementally as it becomes available, published on the web site.


Created by: admin last modification: Monday 16 of February, 2009 [09:23:39 UTC] by admin

 

Useful links


A presentation of the main points of the project.

Related Projects

The CIRCE robot bat head

2002-2005: CIRCE (Chiroptera Inspired Robotic CEphaloid; IST-2001-35144) which reproduced, at a functional level, the echolocation system of bats by constructing a bionic bat head that was used to systematically investigate how the world is not just perceived but actively explored by bats. This bionic bat head is of similar size to a real bat head to reproduce the relevant physics and consist of an emission/reception system capable of generating/processing bat vocalisations in real-time, a multi-degree of freedom mechanical system to allow realistic pinnae movement.

2005-2010: CILIA (Customized Intelligent Life-inspired Arrays; IST-2005-016039), about sensory systems based on arrays of hairs. The project aims to identify the common principles underlying the widespread use in nature of arrays of mechanical sensory cells for the extraction of meaning under adverse conditions and to make those principles available for design of engineered systems.

Contact :  Last update :  Monday 16 of February, 2009 © Copyright ChiRoPing Consortium 2009
 Graphic design :  Maibritt Popp Stuckert Jørgensen Structural design :  Bridget Hallam