PREVIEW

Insects Show Next Generation Of Tiny Robots How To Get Around. Scientists believe insects could hold the key to a world where futuristic mini-robots can complete important tasks. Imagine tiny robots, each weighing no more than a few hundred grams, buzzing around a greenhouse to tackle pests and provide nutrients. Or darting through narrow passages to help with search-and-rescue missions. Mini marvels could revolutionise numerous fields but are yet to be widely adopted. Why? Because of navigational issues. Making tiny robots autonomously navigate is a significant challenge as traditional navigation system rely on hefty, power-hungry sensors like LiDAR or create detailed 3D maps. Both are impractical for small robots, while external navigational systems like GPS aren’t reliable where finding signal is a struggle. That’s why scientists from Delft University of Technology are now looking insects, whose navigation methods offer a blueprint for overcoming these obstacles. Insects navigate using a combination of “odometry” (tracking their own motion) and “view memory” (relying on low-resolution snapshots of their surroundings). Picture Hansel and Gretel’s breadcrumbs, but with a high-tech twist. Instead of breadcrumbs, these robots use visual snapshots to find their way back home. The hope is that by employing this method - of storing images and judging movement - small drones will be able to navigate using relatively small amounts of memory.