Dutch scientists have unveiled the country's first laboratory dedicated to researching how autonomous miniature drones can mimic insects to accomplish tasks ranging from finding gas leaks in factories to search-and-rescue missions. Called the Swarming Lab, researchers at the Delft University of Technology say they aim to put a "self-flying" swarm of 100 tiny drones in the air, able to perform round-the-clock tasks, even landing on charging pods by themselves and taking off again - without humans ever having to get involved. "We are working not only to get these robots to be aware of one another, but also work together to complete complex tasks," said Guido de Croon, a director at the university's Swarming Lab.
One key function is to have the tiny drones - weighing no heavier than a golf ball or an egg - "sniff out" gas leaks in a factory. The drone - fitted with sensors to detect gas - will follow the "scent" of the gas while "calling" the others to help in the search using on-board sensors. "In the same way, drone swarms can also be used to detect forest fires or continuously help in search and rescue operations over large areas," De Croon said.
Using studies on bee and ant swarms or flocks of birds, the scientists will attempt to program their drone swarms to behave the same way. "Drone swarm technology is the idea that when we look at nature and you see many of these animals like ants, that individually are perhaps not so smart, but together they do..
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