Researchers Reference Flocking Birds to Improve Swarmbots

inghamb87 writes "Scientists have studied flocks of starlings and cracked the mystery behind the birds' ability to fly in large formations, and regroup quickly after attacks, without getting confused and ramming into each other. While the information is cool, some scientists seem to think that the best use of this knowledge is not to aid our appreciation of nature, but to make more effective robot swarms. We've talked about swarming robots many times before, but usually researchers look to insects for inspiration."

Comments

Boids

[Joaz Banbeck]

Craig Reynolds was doing this many years ago: http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids/

Modelled after birds?

[Malevolent Tester]

Researching bird flight and it's applications: £2m
Developing autonomous swarming robots: £5m
Watching your prototype robots fly straight into the nearest window at high speed and die: Priceless