FL-RTIS, a Novel Multimodal Sensor Using High-Speed Camera and Active 3-D Sonar for Insect Ensonification

Abstract

In this letter, we introduce the flutter real-time imaging sonar (FL-RTIS): a novel sensor system that integrates a high-speed camera with a 3-D sonar sensor to investigate insect ensonification. By capturing and synchronizing high-resolution video with dense 3-D acoustic data, FL-RTIS provides a detailed analysis of the echo dynamics from fluttering insects. This multimodal approach allows for an unprecedented study of the acoustic interactions between bats and their prey, facilitating more profound insights into evolutionary adaptations in predator-prey dynamics. The capabilities of the FL-RTIS are demonstrated through laboratory experiments and field tests, highlighting its potential for gathering large datasets and showing the potential for new avenues to understanding complex biological interactions.