Abstract: The challenges we are faced with in localizing objects are the complex environments, such as tunnels, high-rise areas and underground parking lots. This paper develops a bionic vibration source localization device to estimate the direction of the object which is inspired by the unique and precise hunting localization mechanism of scorpions. The localization device uses the sensor array, which is patterned after the scorpions’ biological sensory structure, and imitates the coding mode of scorpions’ sensory neurons for determination of the prey (vibration source) bearing. To verify the effectiveness of the localization device, some experiments were performed through real collected vibration signals. The Average Estimated Error (AEE) and the Relative Estimated Error (REE) of the experimental results were calculated to be 3.64? ± 2.44? and ?1.43? ± 4.14?, respectively. It indicates that the device has a good performance to estimate the bearings of vibration sources at different distances and azimuths. This bionic localization device lays the foundation for the development of locating the moving object in some special conditions.

Key words: vibration source, bionic localization device, scorpions;slit sensilla