The Idea
This study will investigate methods for achieving useful and controlled flocking in a swarm of small co-axial rotor helicopters by developing an accurate model of the vehicles and their aerodynamic interactions, and using this in simulation to optimise flocking performance before real-world testing.
The project combines two key ideas:- Using biologically inspired rules of group behaviour (flocking) to enable a group of UAVs to control its own motion
- Wirelessly networking the swarm members together to form a single powerful computing resource
The term flocking, derived from flocks of birds, refers to the coordinated movement of a group of individuals such that they move with approximately the same velocity and inter-agent distance.
The University of Essex is currently building an indoor flocking system using small co-axial rotor helicopters as a proof of concept. The project is primarily concerned with the flocking of a group of MAVs (Micro or Miniature Aerial Vehicles) for the purpose of solving tasks by making use of the unique advantages that this approach offers, such as:
- Multiple simultaneous viewpoints of targets
- Quick surveying of large areas
- Robustness through potential redundancy of individuals
- Small size of the MAVs
To find out more: contact Owen Holland.