May 28, 2018 by Christopher
Packham, Tech Xplore
Researchers who want to realize
autonomous swarming drones have studied the collective behavior of flocking
birds and swarming insects, but a new study by a group of researchers at ETH
Zurich has modeled the schooling behavior of fish. Using deep reinforcement learning,
the group studied how fish draw energy from water flow and turbulence created
by their own swimming schoolmates, gaining insights that could lead to
low-energy, collective autonomous drone swarms. And yes, though there are many
cool practical applications for the private sector and industry, militaries
worldwide are interested in building fleets of autonomous swarming drones. And
yes, it is creepy.
Fish schooling formations cut
through largely invisible flow fields
that redirect the mechanical energy of water, for which fish have
to compensate individually and collectively. Changes in flow are caused by
tides, water redirected past objects, and the movements of fish themselves.
Over millenia, fish have adapted, becoming sensitive to these changes in mechanical energy and
developing the ability to extract energy from underwater flow fields.
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