This innovative approach based on swarm robotics is a new way of coordinating multi-robot systems. Concretely Drone Swarm consists of a large number of robotic systems. They are capable of performing a collective behavior that is created from interactions between unmanned aircraft and their environment. This approach emerged in the field of intelligence of artificial swarms. It was inspired in biological studies of insects, ants and other species in nature.

The main idea behind Drone Swarm is that UAVs make their own decisions through the information shared with each other. It was inspired by swarms of bees or flocks of birds. UAVs would be able to perform several tasks thanks to being connected to a common network. For instance, tasks in national security areas, to confuse enemy sensors with a large number of targets, etc.

Drone Swarm uses and applications

The artificial intelligence applied to UAVs has diverse applications in the military field. It allows the drone swarm to identify and also attack the enemy defenses in an autonomous way. Also it grants them to search for enemy submarines in the ocean by incorporating infrared sensors. Using a thermographic camera that detects the infrared radiation produced by submarines on the surface. These formations can also carry out ‘search and rescue’ missions over huge territories. As well as they can assist rescue teams by obtaining a real-time map of the advance of fire. This information is taken from several fronts using cameras and temperature sensors.

All this is due to the number of drones that could fly at the same time and be controlled as if they were a single one. So they would be capable of occupying a larger territory being this one of the greatest advantages of this technology.

State of the art in drone swarm technology

Currently, this technology is in development. New applications and functionalities arise daily, being the number of drones that form this swarm one of the biggest problems to be beaten. As this quantity of UAVs also increases complexity and increases the possibility of collision between them. However, this number is different depending on the task to be performed.

At Embention we are aware that this technology will be essential in the mid-term. We are already enhancing our systems to make swarming flights a reality, automating the missions thanks to the Veronte Autopilot. All UAVs that make up the swarm would be equipped with the autopilot and a communication system between them.

Some of the features already developed in the Veronte Autopilot to advance in this technology are: follow me, follow my path, relative missions, sense and avoid or fleet management by 4G. In this way, the drones can move autonomously, know the position, plan movement of the rest of UAVs and avoid the collision between them. Making teamwork possible as the success of the task to carry out.