Articles tagged with "swarm-robotics"
Bee-inspired navigation chips could enable tiny robot swarms
Researchers across Europe are developing a computer chip inspired by bees’ natural navigation abilities, which allow them to find their way without satellites or digital maps by sensing sky polarization and their own movement. Coordinated by Anders Mikkelsen at Lund University, the EU-funded InsectNeuroNano project aims to replicate this efficient biological system in a tiny, energy-saving chip. Unlike conventional navigation chips that are bulky and power-hungry, the new chip is designed for a single task—determining position from light and movement data—using a hard-wired approach that mimics insect brain processing to maximize efficiency and minimize size and power consumption. The interdisciplinary collaboration between biologists and engineers, including Professor Elisabetta Chicca from the University of Groningen, leverages biological insights to inform chip design while using chip models to test theories about insect brain function. Although the project is still in early prototype stages and real-world applications are several years away, the team envisions enabling swarms of tiny, insect-sized robots capable
robotnavigation-chipenergy-efficiencybio-inspired-technologyinsect-neurosciencecomputer-chip-designswarm-roboticsWatch US Army drone swarm test strike 3 targets in Swarm Forge demo
The article discusses a significant advancement in drone warfare demonstrated by the US Department of War’s Swarm Forge initiative. A Pentagon-released video showcases a live-fire test where a single operator successfully commands a swarm of three small attack drones to simultaneously strike three separate targets. This event marks the first known instance of a one-to-many lethal drone strike controlled by a single human operator. The drones, equipped with Kraken Kinetic warheads and operated by Auterion’s Nemyx swarm software, function autonomously as a coordinated swarm rather than being manually piloted. The system allows the drones to communicate, assign targets dynamically, and continue their mission even if communication is lost or a drone is destroyed, reflecting a historic level of trust in autonomous swarm technology. Auterion emphasizes that the innovation lies primarily in the software, not the drone hardware itself. The tested drones are inexpensive, small quadcopters with limited range and payload, but their effectiveness is greatly enhanced through swarm coordination. The Nemyx software includes
robotdrone-technologyswarm-roboticsmilitary-technologyautonomous-systemsAI-targetingdefense-technologyUkraine gets France's 310-mile-range Rodeur 330 strike drones
French defense company EOS Technologie has delivered its first Rodeur 330 loitering munitions to Ukraine, enhancing Kyiv’s long-range strike and reconnaissance capabilities. The Rodeur 330 drone features a flight range of up to 310.7 miles (500 km) and can loiter for up to five hours, conducting intelligence gathering and strike missions autonomously. It carries an 8.8-pound anti-tank warhead, positioning it as a high-end anti-armor loitering munition rather than a lightweight drone. Notably, the drone operates without GPS, using an optical navigation system to function effectively in contested environments with satellite jamming. The Rodeur 330 also includes a parachute system for safe recovery during training or aborted missions, reducing non-combat losses. While its maximum range is extensive, the current combat radius is about 49.7 miles, with plans to extend this to over 90 miles through future upgrades. Testing has demonstrated its capability to destroy tanks and
robotdroneautonomous-systemsmilitary-technologyloitering-munitionsswarm-roboticsreconnaissance-dronesChina conducts anti-drone drills, uses missiles to neutralize swarm
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted naval exercises focused on countering swarms of suicide drones, reflecting a shift in military strategy around the Taiwan Strait. The drills, part of the PLA’s 2026 training cycle, simulated realistic strike scenarios where multiple waves of low-flying unmanned attack drones attempted to breach maritime defenses. The PLA’s “red force” used ship-borne missiles and interception systems to neutralize these drone swarms, demonstrating layered counter-drone capabilities against coordinated, large-scale unmanned threats. The emphasis on drone swarms underscores their growing importance in asymmetric warfare, particularly for Taiwan, which views suicide and loitering munitions as critical to its defense against the numerically superior PLA. Taiwan has invested in procuring and developing such drones and advanced counter-drone technologies, including electronic warfare and directed energy weapons, to disrupt potential PLA attacks. This approach aligns with Taiwan’s “porcupine defense” strategy, aiming to impose high costs on any aggress
robotdrone-technologyunmanned-aerial-vehiclesmilitary-roboticsswarm-roboticscounter-drone-systemsdefense-technologyChina flies world’s first 16-ton drone mothership that launches swarms
China has successfully conducted the maiden flight of its Jetank unmanned aircraft, a heavy-lift drone described as an "airborne UAV carrier" capable of deploying swarms of smaller drones. Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the Jetank took off in Shaanxi Province and represents a significant advancement in China's development of large, multi-role UAVs. Measuring 16.35 meters in length with a wingspan of 25 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tons, the drone can carry payloads up to 6,000 kilograms, fly for 12 hours, and has a ferry range of approximately 7,000 kilometers. Its modular mission-payload design enables rapid reconfiguration for diverse civilian and government applications, including cargo delivery, disaster relief, aerial surveys, and maritime law enforcement. The Jetank’s military potential was highlighted during its public debut at Airshow China 2024, where it was shown to have eight underwing hardpoints capable
robotdrone-technologyunmanned-aerial-vehicleswarm-roboticsaerospace-innovationmodular-payloadUAV-carrierUS firm unveils mini ‘tank-killer’ robot built to hunt heavy armor
US robotics company Swarmbotics AI has introduced FireAnt, a new lightweight, ground-based autonomous unmanned vehicle designed to operate in coordinated swarms for anti-tank missions. FireAnt is built to detect, track, and engage heavy armored targets such as tanks, functioning semi-independently within swarms controlled by a single human operator. The system emphasizes swarm autonomy, enabling robots to share targeting data, adapt to battlefield changes in real-time, and accelerate the kill chain process. FireAnt is ruggedized to IP67 standards, resistant to dust, water immersion, heat, vibration, and shock, making it suitable for diverse combat environments. The FireAnt platform is modular and interoperable, supporting quick payload changes for various missions including reconnaissance, mapping, data relay, and anti-armor tasks. It integrates with common robotic software architectures like ROS 2 and JAUS, facilitating connection to broader defense networks. Swarmbotics co-founder Drew Watson likens FireAnt’s approach to the successful use
roboticsunmanned-ground-vehiclesautonomous-robotsrobotic-warfareswarm-roboticsmilitary-technologymodular-roboticsWomen in robotics you need to know about 2025 - Robohub
The article "Women in Robotics You Need to Know About 2025" from Robohub celebrates International Women in Robotics Day by highlighting 20 influential women shaping the robotics field worldwide. Robotics today extends beyond traditional manufacturing to areas like space exploration, healthcare, agriculture, and global connectivity. The featured women include professors, engineers, startup founders, and communicators from diverse countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Their work spans tactile sensing, swarm robotics, embodied AI, and more, demonstrating the broad scope and impact of robotics research and innovation. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing women's contributions to robotics to combat their historical invisibility and encourage greater representation. Among the honorees are Heba Khamis, co-founder of Contactile developing tactile sensors; Kelen Teixeira Vivaldini, researching autonomous robots for environmental applications; Natalie Panek, a senior engineer in space robotics; and Joelle Pineau,
roboticswomen-in-roboticstactile-sensorsautonomous-robotsAI-in-roboticsswarm-roboticsrobotics-innovationUS scientists achieve robot swarm control inspired by birds and fish
US scientists have developed a novel framework for controlling robotic swarms inspired by the collective behaviors of birds, fish, and bees. The research addresses a central challenge in swarm robotics: creating a decentralized control mechanism that allows robots to coordinate effectively without a central leader. By introducing a new geometric design rule based on a quantity called “curvity,” which acts like an intrinsic charge influencing how robots curve in response to external forces, the team demonstrated that assigning positive or negative curvity values to individual robots can govern their interactions. This curvature-based control enables the swarm to exhibit different collective behaviors such as flocking, flowing, or clustering. The researchers successfully validated their approach through experiments showing that these simple, physics-inspired rules scale from pairs of robots to thousands, and can be embedded directly into the mechanical design of robots. This method simplifies swarm control from a complex programming challenge into a material science problem, potentially broadening applications from large industrial or delivery robots to microscopic robots used in medical treatments like targeted drug delivery.
robotswarm-intelligencedecentralized-controlartificial-intelligenceroboticsswarm-roboticsbio-inspired-roboticsNew coordination tech lets drone swarms fly faster without accidents
Researchers at Durham University have developed T-STAR (Time-Optimal Swarm Trajectory Planning), a new coordination technology that enables drone swarms to fly faster and safer by sharing data in real time. This system allows drones to make instant decisions, avoid collisions, and navigate complex environments at high speeds, overcoming a key limitation where drone groups previously had to slow down to prevent crashes. Early tests demonstrate that T-STAR improves mission speed, reliability, and precision, making drone swarms more effective for urgent tasks like search and rescue, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. T-STAR’s real-time communication and collective decision-making capabilities allow drones to operate as an intelligent, coordinated swarm, opening new possibilities for their use in high-risk and time-sensitive scenarios. Beyond emergency response, the technology holds promise for industries such as logistics and agriculture, where large-scale autonomous drone operations could benefit from enhanced speed and safety. This advancement reflects a broader trend in drone swarm innovation, with other companies like Lockheed Martin, IBM
robotdrone-technologyswarm-roboticsautonomous-dronesreal-time-communicationcollision-avoidanceaerial-roboticsDrones That Never Miss: Inside Ukraine’s Invisible Army
The article "Drones That Never Miss: Inside Ukraine’s Invisible Army" highlights the transformative role of drone warfare in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It explains how the battlefield has expanded beyond traditional tanks and artillery to include swarms of highly effective drones. Ukrainian forces utilize inexpensive first-person-view (FPV) drones to accurately target and destroy Russian armored vehicles, demonstrating a significant tactical advantage. Meanwhile, Russia counters with its own drone swarm tactics, leading to intense aerial confrontations that challenge Ukrainian defenses. The piece emphasizes that this drone warfare represents a new era of combat, driven by advanced technology and innovative strategies on both sides. The use of drone swarms is not only reshaping the dynamics of the current conflict but also signaling a broader shift in how future wars may be fought. The article suggests that control of the skies through these unmanned systems could ultimately determine the outcome of the ground war, making this invisible drone army a critical factor in Ukraine’s defense efforts.
robotdronesmilitary-technologyswarm-roboticsunmanned-aerial-vehiclesdefense-technologybattlefield-innovationBeyond the assembly line - swarm robotics emerge - The Robot Report
The article "Beyond the assembly line - swarm robotics emerge" discusses the innovative application of swarm robotics in large-scale manufacturing, particularly for constructing complex aerospace structures like the H2Clipper, a revolutionary 1,000-foot-long, green lighter-than-air dirigible designed to transport liquid hydrogen and freight. Traditional assembly lines are impractical for such massive constructs due to their enormous spatial requirements. Inspired by the decentralized and adaptive behavior of ant colonies, the concept of swarm robotics was developed to enable multiple robots to autonomously coordinate and assemble large structures without centralized control, overcoming the limitations of linear manufacturing processes. Swarm robotics builds on principles of self-organizing systems observed in nature and extends beyond previous AI applications in software and drone coordination to physical construction tasks. The article highlights a patented hierarchical programming approach for these robots, progressing through three levels. Level 1 involves coordinated operation of ambulatory and stationary robots assembling the airship on the ground, laying the foundation for automated assembly without moving the structure until completion. Level
roboticsswarm-roboticsmanufacturing-technologyaerospacegenerative-AIautomationclean-energySwarm robotics could spell the end of the assembly line - The Robot Report
The article discusses how swarm robotics, powered by generative artificial intelligence (genAI), is poised to revolutionize aircraft manufacturing by potentially replacing the traditional assembly line system that has dominated industrial production for over a century. Unlike conventional robotic programming, which relies on fixed algorithms, swarm robotics employs Level 3 AI programming that enables autonomous robots to self-learn, recognize patterns, optimize processes, and improve performance without direct human intervention. This technology allows multiple interconnected autonomous robots to coordinate, communicate, and adapt in real-time, creating a collective “common mind” that can efficiently manufacture large, complex structures like airplanes and spacecraft. Swarm robotics offers significant advantages including faster production speeds, lower costs, higher precision, and enhanced safety by minimizing human error such as fatigue or oversight during assembly. The robots operate continuously and can fabricate aircraft components without moving the structure during production, eliminating the need for traditional assembly lines. This shift represents a profound transformation in manufacturing technology, promising to increase efficiency and accuracy while reducing labor requirements and operational
roboticsswarm-roboticsartificial-intelligencegenerative-AImanufacturing-automationaerospace-manufacturingindustrial-roboticsSwarmable autonomous munitions to bolster warfighter operations
L3Harris, a Melbourne-based defense company, has developed autonomous swarmable munitions called Red Wolf and Green Wolf, designed to enhance warfighter operations across air, ground, and maritime platforms. These multi-role vehicles offer cost-effective strike capabilities and accurate electronic warfare solutions, addressing the U.S. Department of Defense’s urgent demand for advanced, affordable munitions usable across multiple domains. The systems feature advanced onboard software enabling autonomous coordination, swarming, dynamic re-targeting, and in-flight mission updates, making them adaptable to various tactical environments. Both platforms can be recovered and reused, providing logistical and cost advantages. The Red Wolf and Green Wolf vehicles can fly at least 200 nautical miles, significantly farther than current precision air-to-ground munitions, and are priced five to six times lower than existing Naval Strike missiles. L3Harris has completed over 40 test flights, including high-altitude launches, and plans to produce dozens of these systems by the end of 2025
roboticsautonomous-systemsmilitary-technologyswarm-roboticsdefense-technologyunmanned-vehiclesautonomous-munitionsHarvard swarm robots curl and crawl like entangled living worms
Harvard researchers led by Justin Werfel at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a novel swarm robotic system inspired by the behavior of California blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus). These freshwater worms naturally form tightly entangled blobs that enable them to regulate temperature, protect against predators, and move cohesively. Mimicking this, the team created flexible, worm-like robots about a foot long, made from synthetic polymers with pressurized internal air chambers that allow them to curl and physically entangle with one another. This entanglement not only provides cohesion but also serves as a potential channel for mechanical communication and coordination among the robots. The entangled robotic swarm can move collectively over land and water, achieving tasks beyond the capability of individual units. The researchers aim to harness these emergent group dynamics for practical applications such as disaster zone exploration, navigation of irregular terrains, and manipulation of large objects. While current robots are individually powered and tethered, future iterations are planned
roboticsswarm-roboticssoft-robotsbiomimicryautonomous-robotsrobotic-materialsHarvard-SEASNew robot swarm builds resilient structures without human interference
Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a novel swarm robotics system inspired by insect colonies, enabling robots to build resilient honeycomb-like structures without centralized plans, blueprints, or coordination. Mimicking how bees, ants, and termites construct complex nests through local environmental cues, these robots follow simple mathematical rules to self-assemble by reacting only to their immediate surroundings. This decentralized approach allows the swarm to continue building even if individual robots fail, enhancing resilience and adaptability in unpredictable conditions. The research team fine-tuned the swarm’s behavior through extensive simulations, adjusting parameters such as speed and turn angle to influence the geometry and toughness of the resulting structures. Their findings build on prior insights that introducing disorder into honeycomb lattices can increase material toughness, demonstrating that swarm behavior can autonomously generate such beneficial variations. While still primarily in simulation, early physical prototypes have been created, and future work aims to translate the system to real-world applications, potentially using electrochemical methods to grow metal structures. This approach represents a
roboticsswarm-roboticsdecentralized-manufacturingautonomous-robotsresilient-structuresbio-inspired-robotsself-assembly