Dung beetles navigate by the stars.
An ancient insect species, the dung beetle, has inspired a new study aiming to enhance navigation systems in drones, robots, and satellites. These beetles have the unique ability to use the stars of the Milky Way as a guide for their navigation, allowing them to travel in a straight line by focusing on specific constellations.
Swedish researchers made this fascinating discovery in 2013, and now Australian engineers are working on implementing this technique into AI sensors to accurately measure the orientation of the Milky Way in low light conditions. This technological advancement could significantly improve navigational capabilities for drones.
Professor Javaan Chahl and his team at the University of South Australia have utilized computer vision to study how the Milky Way serves as a reliable reference point for dung beetles during their nocturnal journeys. Their research aims to replicate and apply this natural navigation technique to artificial systems.
Published in the journal Biomimetics, the findings of these researchers highlight the potential for utilizing insect-inspired navigation systems in modern technology. By incorporating the dung beetle’s billion-star navigation method, engineers hope to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of drones and other autonomous devices.
Overall, this study demonstrates the invaluable lessons that can be learned from nature’s intricate navigational mechanisms, inspiring innovative solutions that bridge the gap between biology and technology.
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