Ant trails - an example for robots to follow?

Abstract

In order to operate effectively in their variable and unstructured real world environment insects employ many strategies. Generating and detecting odours is the basis of several of these strategies. It seems certain that similar techniques can be implemented to improve the competence of robotic systems. This paper describes a project to investigate transferring the pheromone trail tracking capabilities of ants to robotic systems. A robotic ant has been built and equipped with a pair of odour sensing 'antennae'. This system has been programmed with a trail following algorithm observed in the ant Lasius fuliginosus. The design of this robot, the control algorithm and results of odour trail following experiments are presented.