Now researchers at the University of Tsukuba in Japan have developed an exciting new experimental touchless interface. This newly discovered technology lets them pitch shift cicada chirps with Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS). This pioneering research will help to better understand the ways insects communicate and the songful talents of cicadas. It was released by arXiv as a preprint on April 23, 2025.
The research team examined the auditory systems of these seven cicadas from the species Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata, which they had caught in Tsukuba, Japan. Using EMS, the scientists were able to mutate the insects and then show that they could manipulate the pitch of the chirps produced by these insects.
This study is highly influential for bioacoustic research. With its promise to revolution multiple disciplines, including bioengineering and communication technologies, AI is proving itself to be a game-changer.
Experimental Setup and Methodology
To try and answer this question, the researchers developed an experimental method for inducing changes in the musical scales of cicada chirps through EMS. Each cicada varied in size and thus, each cicada was different and required a different electrode circuit to deliver the square-wave electrical signals. These signals ranged from A0 to C4, corresponding to frequencies between 27.500 Hz and 261.626 Hz.
Once we were ready to run the experiment, we linearly ramped the voltage from 0V to 1V for each frequency. This went on until the chirping began, or ceased entirely. This careful procedure was conducted for each of the seven cicadas at a variety of input frequencies.
With increasing applied voltage, the researchers saw a series of sequential waveform signatures. The latter by first detecting the production of Half Frequency Waves (HFW). Second, they mapped the production of Correct Frequency Waves (CFW), and finally, they released the discovery of Double Frequency Waves (DFW). CFWs were notable in that they were produced consistently across all tested pitch intervals. This mapped to a corresponding voltage range from A0 to F#3.
For example, only one cicada could produce sound at pitch A2, while just two reached C#3. This surprising variability reveals the individuality of every cicada’s response to electrical stimulation.
Musical Evaluation and Findings
The phonomatics research team was interested in checking how accurately cicada chirps could imitate organized musical scales. To test this, they played back musical phrases —no Pachelbel’s Canon, but close— to see. This focus area of the research served to test the system’s effectiveness. It was testing the hypothesis of whether cicadas were capable of mimicking complex musical patterns.
Luckily, the data showed that these manipulated chirps were actually capable of following the musical phrases. This finding opens new avenues for understanding how insects may communicate and interact with their environments in ways previously unconsidered.
“Insect-Computer Hybrid Speaker: Speaker using Chirp of the Cicada Controlled by Electrical Muscle Stimulation” – Yuga Tsukuda et al
The researchers classified the chirps generated through electrical stimulation into four distinct waveform types: Correct Frequency Wave (CFW), Half Frequency Wave (HFW), Double Frequency Wave (DFW), and Irregular Frequency Wave (IFW). Of all these, the CFWs turned out to be the most consistent release over a wide range of pitch intervals.
Implications and Future Directions
Reducing insect acoustic interference by using EMS creates fascinating new opportunities for bioengineering and robotics. With creative application, we might apply the same techniques to invent the next class of biohybrid systems.
Further studies could explore more complex interactions between insects and technology, potentially enhancing our understanding of biological systems and their integration with artificial constructs. The idea of an “insect-computer hybrid speaker” serves as inspiration for exciting new communication devices that harness biological inputs.
“Insect-Computer Hybrid Speaker: Speaker using Chirp of the Cicada Controlled by Electrical Muscle Stimulation” – Yuga Tsukuda et al