Aye-aye’s middle finger kinematic modeling during tap-scanning

Enhancing biomimetic design of tap scanning sensors through high-resolution thermal camera-based behavioral studies

“…18 Several research teams have initiated behavioral investigations to gain an understanding of different aspects of the motion dynamics displayed by the middle finger of the aye-aye while tapping. 9,10 Given the predominantly nocturnal nature of this creature, many of these experiments are conducted in environments characterized by lowlight or red-light conditions, utilizing standard or high-frame-rate cameras. While this approach is effective for observing animals' behavior and their interactions with objects in their surroundings, the resulting images often suffer from noise and distortion due to the low-light conditions.…”

“…7 Through detailed studies of their tapping behavior and the morphology of their specialized finger, researchers seek to unravel the intricacies of aye-aye biology and gain insights into the adaptive mechanisms that have shaped their evolutionary trajectory. [8][9][10] Tap-testing sensors have diverse applications across industries, playing vital roles in structural health monitoring, non-destructive testing, material characterization, and quality control. Furthermore, tap-testing sensors contribute significantly to characterizing the mechanical properties of materials, identifying damage in composite structures, and advancing research and development endeavors in engineering and materials science.…”

“…12,13 This research aims to advance behavioral studies to refine the methods used to develop a bio-mimetic taptesting sensor. 9,10 To achieve this goal, a specialized enclosure with an attached foraging box was designed to facilitate interaction and tapping behavior by the aye-aye, thereby aiding in cavity localization. The study was conducted under low-light/red-light conditions to mimic the preferred nocturnal environment of these primates.…”