Why a researcher is building robots that look and act like bats 

Nitin J. Sanket, a professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, is developing small, bat-inspired flying robots designed for search and rescue missions in hazardous or hard-to-navigate environments. These palm-sized drones use ultrasound sensors, similar to those in automatic faucets, combined with AI-powered software to filter noise and detect obstacles within a two-meter radius. The technology aims to replace human rescuers who currently risk their lives navigating difficult terrain on foot, offering a faster, more agile alternative through drones. Sanket’s approach draws heavily from biology, particularly bats’ echolocation abilities. The team addressed challenges such as sensor overload caused by drone propeller noise by designing a 3D-printed structure that mimics bats’ adaptive tissues in their nose and ears, which modulate sound reception and emission. This biomimicry allows the robots to effectively process ultrasonic signals despite environmental noise. Having achieved functional prototypes, the current focus is on improving the drones’ speed to enhance their operational effectiveness. Sanket emphasizes