Bug brains help AI solve navigation challenges

Drones and other autonomous robots require mobile and efficient solutions to real-life issues, from mundane package transportation to urgent search and rescue missions. Using machine learning and a vector-based navigation system inspired by insects, agents could navigate to key locations without relying on a GPS -- becoming truly autonomous. Robots could learn to navigate independently to wildfires based on environmental sensory cues, using information from cameras and other sensors. Since vectors are represented in a geocentric context, multiple agents could communicate locations with each other, which could, for example, speed up efforts to perform rescues and put out fires. Such flexibility and speed of coordination would largely improve the success and efficiency of rescue missions during natural disasters -- and save lives.