Swarm robotics is an exciting concept from the fields of robotics, automation and artificial intelligence. The idea behind it: Many small, simply built robots work together like a team to accomplish large tasks. This co-operative way of working is inspired by nature. For example, researchers see bees, ants or schools of fish as role models: Each individual animal is not particularly clever, but as a swarm they are extremely effective.
In swarm robotics, there is no centralised control. The robots communicate with each other, react independently to their environment and find solutions together, for example when exploring a factory site or collecting rubbish from the sea.
An illustrative example: several small robots are searching for lost parts in a warehouse. Nobody gives them precise instructions; they share their location with each other and distribute the task efficiently. This saves time and energy. Swarm robotics is used wherever flexibility, teamwork and adaptability are required - and has great potential for the future of industry and the environment.
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