See A Swarm Of Robots Track A Human Being On The Run
Scientists are at it again, as they have developed a series of micro robots that can form and track human beings through dense forests.
As an avid fan of the Terminator franchise, I’ve been known to be skeptical of robots and their abilities to seemingly defy the laws of science. Terminator 2: Judgment Day was about just that: artificial intelligence that becomes so advanced that it can be weaponized to cancel out those that created it in the first place. While not all advances in technology can be seen through this maniacal light, watching robots track a human being can be a curiously interesting sight. At China’s Zhejiang University, science fiction is becoming a technological reality as a video has surfaced where robotic drones are making futuristic dreams come true. The video has been viewed over 113,000 times since it was uploaded on May 4, 2022 and features a wasp-like swarm of drones in a bamboo forest in China, narrowly escaping impending doom by avoiding any and all stumbling blocks along the way.
As reported by The Verge, a group of scientists at Zhejiang University has made public a swarm of drones that have the ability to communicate with one another and fly through a forest of trees, all without any assistance from humans. These robots are no bigger than a soda can, lightweight, durable, and have cameras on them that help to navigate their environment. Since they are so small, humans can try to interfere with the drones’ flight path, create obstacles for them to avoid, and step directly in front of the swarm without ever confusing the drones to crash. The drones can detect human movements, while technology has been developed that assists the drones so that if one drone has any interference, neighboring drones can help send information to that one so they can all create a new path.
While it is obvious that governments may be able to use these drones and other robots for military purposes, not all technology represented in blockbuster movies like Terminator 2: Judgment Day must be hostile. If Robert Downey, Jr. and Iron Man taught the world anything, it’s that some robots and scientific advancements can trigger humanity to achieve good deeds and help mankind in various ways. Making flying robots might not be one of those ways to help humanity, only scare humanity.
Per Science Robotics, the scientists at Zhejiang University have published findings that call out techniques within this swarm of drones that can aid globally in disaster relief, such as floods and earthquakes, while also providing a way for ecological footprints to be reduced. This is all in part due to the smaller size and weight of each drone, as they can be used to examine a compact area where needed and work to deliver supplies in an emergency to those that are trapped in such a disaster. This could be a huge game-changer in areas that are prone to natural disasters, especially in rural towns or confined spaces where humans may not be able to get to victims in a timely manner. If you’re looking to get your fix of science fiction drama that might just be hitting too close to reality these days, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is currently available on HBO Max.
