S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Mandi researcher has made significant advances in understanding how animals navigate back home after foraging, even when confronted with unexpected detours.
Using small, programmable robots, the researcher explored the complexities of homing behavior within a controlled environment, say sources from IIT Mandi.
Ability
The ability to return home after activities like migration or foraging is crucial for many animals.
Homing pigeons, for example, are renowned for their ability to deliver messages over long distances due to their exceptional navigation skills, says IIT Mandi researcher.
Similarly, sea turtles, salmon, and monarch butterflies undertake long journeys to return to their birthplaces. This homing behavior, common in nature, has long intrigued scientists.
Strategies
Different species use various strategies to achieve homing, say sources from IIT Mandi.
Some rely on path integration, calculating their return based on the distance traveled and direction, while others depend on environmental cues such as smells, landmarks, star positions, or the Earth’s magnetic field.
Despite these varied methods, homing is typically a highly efficient process.
However, the influence of random factors, or “noise,” on animal navigation remains an area of ongoing research, says IIT Mandi researcher.
Team
The research team of IIT Mandi investigated these patterns using small robots designed to mimic animal behavior.
These robots, approximately 7.5 cm in diameter, are equipped with sensors to detect objects and light, enabling them to locate a “home” marked by the brightest light source.
The robots navigate using independently controlled wheels and adjust their paths based on light intensity, similar to certain animals.
Randomness
The researcher found that beyond an optimal level of randomness, the duration of homing remains unaffected, say sources from IIT Mandi.
Computer simulations further supported these findings, revealing that occasional ‘resets,’ where the robots reoriented directly toward home, enhanced their ability to correct their paths.
Broader Implications
Dr. Harsh Soni, Assistant Professor, School of Physical Sciences, IIT Mandi, highlighted the broader implications of this research.
He said these findings could inform the development of better navigation systems for autonomous vehicles and improve search and rescue missions.
Additionally, the study offers valuable insights into cellular dynamics, where similar processes might be at play, he said.
Findings
The study’s findings have been published in the journal PRX LIFE.
The theoretical and numerical aspects of the research were conducted by Dr. Harsh Soni from IIT Mandi, along with Dr. Arnab Pal and Mr. Arup Biswas from The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai.
The experimental work was led by Dr. Nitin Kumar and Mr. Somnath Paramanich from IIT Bombay.
New Perspectives
The research provides new perspectives on the physics of homing and opens avenues for further exploration in both biological and technological contexts.
About IIT Mandi
IIT Mandi comprises nine academic schools and seven major research centers. The schools include the School of Biosciences and Bioengineering (SBBE), School of Chemical Sciences (SCS), School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SMSS).
It also comprises School of Physical Sciences (SPS), School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (SMME), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCENE).
Also are School of Computing and Electrical Engineering (SCEE), School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), and School of Management (SOM).
The research centers are the Advanced Materials Research Centre (AMRC), Centre for Design and Fabrication of Electrical Devices (C4DFED), BioX Centre.
The other research centers are, Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Applications Centre (IKSMHA Centre), Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Centre for Quantum Science and Technology (CQST), and Centre for Human, Computer Interaction (CHCi).
The Institute offers eleven undergraduate programs across various streams, one M.A. program, ten M.Tech. programs, eleven Ph.D. programs, and one integrated Ph.D. (iPh.D.) program.
The unique, project-oriented B.Tech. curriculum is centered around a 4-year Design and Innovation stream.
Since its inception, IIT Mandi has been involved in over 460 R&D sponsored research projects and more than 150 consultancy projects.
The Institute houses the DST-sponsored IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation (iHub; a Section-8 company) to promote research and technology development, skill development, startup innovation, and collaborations in the HCI and allied AI/ML areas in India.
Additionally, IIT Mandi Catalyst, the first tech-incubator in Himachal Pradesh, offers a low-cost, peaceful, and high-tech environment for early-stage startups.
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Furthermore, a BIRAC-sponsored BioNEST Centre has been established at the Institute to foster biotechnology and healthcare innovation in the Himalayan region.