In a groundbreaking development, Hungarian scientists at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest have successfully demonstrated the capabilities of a drone swarm that operates autonomously without centralized control. The swarm, consisting of 100 drones, showcases the result of over a decade of research and experimentation in the field of unmanned flight.
Guided by research on the collective movements of creatures from the natural world, the drones in the swarm make real-time decisions on collision avoidance and trajectory planning without the need for pre-programming. This innovative approach mimics natural swarming behavior, allowing the drones to coordinate individual routes and tasks in dense aerial traffic.
One of the researchers involved in the project described the technology as a fusion of beauty and functionality, with the drones themselves not needing to be aesthetically pleasing, but their collective behavior resembling that of natural swarms.
While drones have become increasingly common in various applications, the Hungarian scientists' new models based on animal behavior offer a unique level of decentralization. Once instructed, the drones can operate independently, communicating with each other to fulfill their tasks without the need for ground control stations.
By studying the flight patterns of pigeons and the movements of wild horses, the researchers developed an algorithm that enables the drones to autonomously navigate their environment, mitigating conflicts and avoiding collisions.
Despite the potential benefits of this technology in fields such as meteorology, land surveying, and goods delivery, concerns have been raised regarding its military applications. Researchers warn that autonomous drones could lead to increased conflict escalation and raise questions about accountability in the event of errors.
However, the Hungarian scientists remain focused on the positive impact of their technology, with plans to expand its applications to areas such as precision agriculture and decentralized air traffic control systems. Their vision includes scaling up the drone swarm to support up to 5,000 drones flying together autonomously, opening up new possibilities for innovation and efficiency.
