University of Colorado researchers are studying fireflies at the Great Smoky Mountains to dive deeper into how they communicate, which can help with robot communication.
The researchers plan to have the fireflies solve complex problems while they communicate in big groups. A good example of this is, semi-autonomous robots can communicate with flashes of infrared light to find victims after a natural disaster.
Up until this day, the coordination a thousand fireflies do to flash together isn't fully understood-a cluster will link up, while others that are farther away will follow suit.
The male fireflies hover and flash to signal females, while females often rest on the ground and return flashes to the male. It is thought that synchronization helps species of fireflies distinguish themselves from other species via different patterns of flashes.
As part of the study, the researchers will start flashing like a firefly next to a real firefly and see how they interact. They are trying to see if they can train a periodic signal in the fireflies. The other researcher of the team will record the flashing using a 36-degree camera to see how it spreads.
According to them, the flashing is like Morse code and the signal may be close to computer language.
Also Read: How Fireflies Can Help Light The Way To Earlier Disease Diagnosis
The Wonders of Fireflies
Fireflies, or lightning bugs as they are sometimes called, are indeed beetles. These insects produce light in their abdomen, which they can control, and the flashes are used to communicate with other members of their species. Fireflies need a little moisture and an oxygen source to produce light for their species. This is an efficient way for them to communicate and find mates.
Fireflies produce light not only for communication but also to attract mates. They are also responsible for the pollination of plants. Some believe that fireflies are the companions of the souls of the dead.
Fireflies are very useful in the ecosystem. They provide food for insect-eating birds and bats as well as toads, snakes, and lizards. They are also important in the pollination of flowers and trees. Moths, mayflies, and stoneflies, and beetles also depend on the firefly's glow to attract mates.
Fireflies and Robots
Fireflies have been used as a model for scientists and engineers to develop robots that can communicate in large groups, just like in nature. They can be used to help in the search and rescue missions in the future. The robots can move with coordination in large groups for a particular purpose.
Although robots are still not as advanced as fireflies, scientists are taking inspiration from these nature engineers. There are many mysteries in nature that we can still learn from, a good example of this is fireflies. We are still trying to understand how their communication system works. This can lead to the development of better robots in the future.
Related Article: Robot Translator Allows Fish And Bees To Communicate With Each Other
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Written by April Fowell
