Scientists attach insect antennae to drones for smell-based navigation

“Researchers in Japan have merged robotic technology with the finely tuned senses of silk moths to create a bio-hybrid drone.

Traditional drones rely on visual sensors like cameras and lasers for navigation, but these can be unreliable in harsh conditions such as low light, dust storms, or wet environments. This poses a challenge when surveying disaster-stricken areas, where visibility may be compromised. Additionally, aerial surveillance can be inefficient when there’s no clear target to track. To address these limitations, researchers took a creative approach – giving drones the ability to detect scents.”