New theory about insects flying habits can improve drone manufacturing

Scientists from TU Delft and Aix Marseille Université elaborated a new theory on how insects determine their sense of gravity while flying, which might impact the building of small autonomous drones, as mentioned in a press release. 

As explained in the paper, the way insects determined the direction of gravity and accelerated while flying was still a mystery to scientists. Since they do not present a specific sensor organ, there was no clear evidence of how they distinguished up from down. However, new findings suggest that insects use visual motion detection combined with their movements to give them a sense of direction.  

This possible explanation for their flying habits is not only an important biological discovery but also technological. Drones usually have accelerometers to help them fly, but implementing the insect flight model might open the doors to a new generation of gadgets. More specifically, this innovative theory might support the automation of small bug-sized autonomous drones.  

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Logic behind this discovery 

Whether drones, insects, or human pilots, having a sense of gravity is essential while flying. For instance, a pilot flying through the clouds might lose the sense of direction, which is why the aircraft’s altitude meter provides that. Similarly, while drones utilize accelerometers, insects use “optical flow,” according to the study.

Optical flow is the relative movement comparing the view of an observer and the environment, like three apparently moving while riding a train. Insects combine that optical flow with motion models to find the direction of gravity. That method might be applied to robotics, and tiny bug drones might become a reality.