Birds have long inspired humans to create their own ways to fly. We know that soaring bird species that migrate long distances use thermal updrafts to stay in the air without using up energy flapping their wings. And glider pilots similarly use thermals currents and other areas of rising air in order to remain airborne for longer. Yet, while we've mastered gliding through these updrafts using various instruments, the exact mechanisms that allow birds to soar are still unknown. But a team of researchers from California and Italy have made some telling steps towards answering this question using artificial intelligence (A.I.).

Birds have long inspired humans to create their own ways to fly. We know that soaring bird species that migrate long distances use thermal updrafts to stay in the air without using up energy flapping their wings. And glider pilots similarly use thermals currents and other areas of rising air in order to remain airborne for longer. Yet, while we've mastered gliding through these updrafts using various instruments, the exact mechanisms that allow birds to soar are still unknown. But a team of researchers from California and Italy have made some telling steps towards answering this question using artificial intelligence (AI).

Birds have long inspired humans to create their own ways to fly. We know that soaring bird species that migrate long distances use thermal updrafts to stay in the air without using up energy flapping their wings. And glider pilots similarly use thermals currents and other areas of rising air in order to remain airborne for longer. Yet, while we've mastered gliding through these updrafts using various instruments, the exact mechanisms that allow birds to soar are still unknown. But a team of researchers from California and Italy have made some telling steps towards answering this question using artificial intelligence (AI).

Migratory birds use warm, rising currents of air to gain height using little energy to fly over long distances. But just how they navigate the height-boosting currents was a mystery, until now. Now, biologists have used mathematical models to demonstrate birds use'torque and vertical wind' to help them pick the most efficient soaring path through thermals. High fliers: Biologists have used mathematical models to demonstrate birds such as eagles (stock image) use'torque and vertical wind' to help them pick the most efficient soaring path through thermals Most migrating birds fly between 656 and 3,937 feet (200 to 1,200 metres) above sea level. When the wind s against them, they stay closer to Earth when obstacles like trees slow the wind down.