Scientists build a scent-tracking robot inspired by silkworms that can locate survivors in disaster zones

The concept of robots “smelling” in complex environments has captured the imagination of scientists for years, but it always came with a caveat: What if the robot loses its sensors? In a breakthrough that combines biology and engineering, a new type of robot inspired by the humble silkworm is able to continue searching for scents even after losing its sensors. Not only does this reflect nature’s adaptability, but it has many potential practical applications, from disaster relief efforts to environmental monitoring. By studying the adaptations of insects, scientists are shaping the future of robotics in a surprisingly practical way.

How silkworms inspired this scent-tracking robot

The innovation was inspired by the silkworm moth (Bombyx mori), which is known for its extraordinary ability to sense pheromones. Even with a small brain, moths can find a mate using faint scent trails carried by the wind. Even more surprising is that even after losing one of its antennae, the moth is still able to navigate.According to research published in npj Robotics, “silk moths…can maintain efficient navigation using just one antenna.” This biometric feature has been used as the basis for developing a robot that does not require perfect symmetry in its sensors.

A robot that works using just one sensor

In traditional robot odor tracking methods, the robot must have at least two well-working sensors to track the odor and move in the direction of the odor. This is because if one of the sensors fails, the robot’s performance will be greatly affected. However, that doesn’t happen with this new approach.Rather than using algorithms as traditional methods do, the robots track scents using behavioral methods inspired by insects. If one of the sensors fails, the robot does not “panic” but changes its behavior so that it can track the smell using the remaining sensors. The study showed that the robot’s performance was not compromised, as the robot’s success rate remained the same even if the sensor failed.This is a major shift in the way robotics are manufactured, as traditional robotic manufacturing methods are based on precision.

Why scent-tracking robots are important

Odor-based navigation, also known as machine olfaction, is an increasingly popular field with numerous practical applications. Robots with the ability to detect and track odors could be used to find survivors in disaster zones, track gas leaks, or track hazardous materials. Researchers from the Research Organization for Information and Systems (ROIS) who participated in the study said, “These robots can play a key role in disaster response, hazardous materials and explosives detection, and environmental monitoring.” Unlike sniffer dogs, which require training and tire over time, robots can work non-stop, even in hazardous areas, without endangering anyone’s life.

A step towards smarter robotics

This is because this is a general trend in science, which focuses on learning from nature to solve complex engineering problems. Although simple, insects have developed effective survival mechanisms and have lived in this world for millions of years. This is accomplished by replicating the mechanisms that led to the development of robots that are not only intelligent but also flexible.This is best demonstrated by robots inspired by silkworms, which show that losing any sensors is not a sign of failure but of adapting in a different way. Given that this field is constantly evolving, this could revolutionize the way robots work in the world.