Chinese researchers have created small drones capable of flying autonomously in a “swarm” that can sweep through dense forests, in a scene described by The Times as looking like a scene from a science fiction film.
According to a report by the British newspaper, published Thursday, May 5, 2022, a video clip showed palm-sized drones using cameras and sensors to avoid barriers and other aircraft, and analysts believe that this development may have repercussions on military operations and search and rescue operations.
Zhejiang University scientists cited films such as Star Wars, Prometheus and Blade Runner 2049 in their paper, published in Science Robotics, Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
The team of scientists, led by Shen Zhou, wrote that aerial robots “have entered human life with an extraordinary diversity, ranging from delicate to aggressive tasks. These developments herald a new sunrise for aerial swarms in the wild, after the idea was formerly the preserve of science fiction films. And here we are taking a step forward into that future.”
“Dazzling” drones
Drone swarms have been tested before, but in open and unobstructed environments, or pre-programmed to the locations of those obstacles.
While Enrica Soria, a roboticist at EPFL who was not involved in the research, said the jungle experience was “amazing. This is the first time we have seen a squadron of drones successfully fly abroad, in an unregulated environment, in the middle of the wilderness.”
These purpose-built drones do not require GPS technology. It uses depth cameras, altitude sensors, and an onboard laptop computer for navigation.
But the fantastic progress came in terms of the algorithm that provides the swarm with the ability to avoid collision, give it flight efficiency, and enable it to coordinate jointly.
The team tested its drones in various scenarios such as flying through a bamboo forest, dodging other drones in a crowded experience, and programming the robots to follow a person’s footsteps.
Hollywood movies inspire scientists
Scientists may have drawn inspiration from Hollywood movies, but they’ve also studied how birds maneuver and fly together.
“Our work has been inspired by the birds gliding in free flock to traverse the densest of forests,” Sheen wrote in a blog post.
The technology is still in the experimental stage, but it could still be used in many ways in the future.
Swarms of drones can be used to lift and deliver heavy items, or they can be deployed to search for lacking people and victims of natural disasters. But there are other concerns as well about the military applications of this technology.
The scientific journal Geopolitical Monitor recently said: “This concept – known as (military build-up) – will have profound tactical and strategic effects whether fully developed, and may lead to changing the nature of war in the 21st century.”
Enrica added, “We may see these drones deploy to the ground within a few years. But it will first have to be tested in cities, where you will encounter people and vehicles, as well as in rural areas.”
