A model for insect locomotion in the horizontal plane: Feedforward activation of fast muscles, stability, and robustness

We develop a neuromechanical model for running insects that includes a simplified hexapedal leg geometry with agonist–antagonist muscle pairs actuating each leg joint. Restricting to dynamics in the horizontal plane and neglecting leg masses, we reduce the model to three degrees of freedom describing translational and yawing motions of the body. Muscles are driven by stylized action potentials characteristic of fast motoneurons, and modeled using an activation function and nonlinear length and shortening velocity dependence. Parameter values are based on measurements from depressor muscles and observations of kinematics and dynamics of the cockroach Blaberus discoidalis; in particular, motoneuronal inputs and muscle force levels are chosen to approximately achieve joint torques that are consistent with measured ground reaction forces. We show that the model has stable double-tripod gaits over the animal's speed range, that its dynamics at preferred speeds matches those observed, and that it maintains stable gaits, with low frequency yaw deviations, when subject to random perturbations in foot touchdown and lift-off timing and action potential input timing. We explain this in terms of the low-dimensional dynamics.