Journeying to the Netherlands, scientists at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) have drawn inspiration from various animals and insects at their Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) Lab. For instance, the MAVLab team has created microdrones that navigate based on 'odometry' — a technique employed by ants and other insects to track visual cues and number of steps, which uses significantly less processing power than other traditional navigational tools. Meanwhile, researchers at TU Delft's Biomorphic Intelligence Lab are developing biomorphic whisker sensors that will allow drones to navigate in the dark. The inspiration? One of the professor's pet rabbits!
