An unexpected source of inspiration is being used to advance navigational systems for drones, robots, and satellites. A species of insect, the dung beetle, which has been around for 130 million years is at the heart of this new technology. The dung beetle's unique ability to navigate via the Milky Way, a technique discovered by Swedish researchers in 2013, is being replicated through an AI sensor capable of pinpointing our galaxy's orientation in low-light conditions.
The dung beetle is the first-ever species known to employ the constellations of the Milky Way for night navigation. It uses this celestial guide to roll dung balls away from other beetles in a straight line. These unlikely insects have proven to be an excellent model for leading-edge Australian engineers in designing the AI sensor.
Researchers from the University of South Australia, led by remote sensing engineer Professor Javaan Chahl, carried out a series of experiments that involved using computer vision and a vehicle-mounted camera to capture images of the Milky Way. They reportedly demonstrated that, unlike individual stars, the strip of light that forms the galaxy does not get blurry in motion. Professor Chahl explains, "The dung beetles' compound eyes are not designed to distinguish individual stars amid motion. However, the stripe forming the Milky Way stands out clearly."
Using the data gathered, the researchers have managed to develop a computer vision system that accurately measures the Milky Way's orientation. This accomplishment is a leap forward in devising a much-improved navigation system. Their findings have been published in the scholarly journal, Biomimetics.
Lead study author and UniSA PhD candidate Yiting Tao hopes the innovative orientation sensor will serve as a backup to stabilize satellites, and assist drones and robotic machines in low-light navigation, even amidst significant motion blur and vibration. Tao boasts, "My next step is to integrate this algorithm into a flying drone, enabling it to control itself during nighttime flights."
Many insects, including dragonflies, honeybees, desert ants, and wasps, employ the sun as a navigational aid during the day. The moon serves a similar purpose for nocturnal creatures, but is not consistently visible. Hence, certain moths and dung beetles rely on the Milky Way. This celestial-navigational facet of insects continues to fascinate and inspire engineers worldwide.
Professor Chahl furthers, "The miniature brilliance of insects in navigation has been an inspiration for scientists dealing with navigational problems that even advanced machines find challenging. Despite their tiny brains, these insects succeed due to the simplicity and efficiency of nature's solutions."
Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of an AI tool. The original source can be found on ScienceDaily.
