Abstract: For centuries, researchers have been fascinated by how simple-minded arthropods pick up definite cues and locate a potential target in an instant. Contrary to the active echolocation of classical creatures, arthropods exhibit passive characteristics. They use spatially separated sensilla to cooperatively pinpoint target-generated signal sources such as sound, light, ground vibration, air disturbance, and thermal radiation. The paper introduces the localization mechanisms of typical terrestrial arthropods with diverse survival habits. Focusing on these special mechanisms, a series of theoretical models and advanced bionic equipment have been reviewed, and some key challenges and future directions are proposed. We believe that intensive study on arthropods can promote innovative development of miniaturized, low power-dissipation, and high-performance localization equipment, thereby enhancing and expanding current localization techniques.

Key words: Target-oriented localization, Passive techniques, Terrestrial arthropods, Bioinspiration