Swarm Robotics Offers New Approach For Security And Safety Operations.
Swarm Robotics Offers New Approach – Research out of the University of Adelaide into swarm robotics suggests a potential shift in how security and safety operations could be managed in complex and high-risk environments.
The study, published in Natural Sciences, draws on the behaviour of social insects such as ants and bees, applying those principles to groups of small autonomous robots that operate collaboratively without a central control system.
From a security and safety perspective, the key advantage of this approach is resilience. Traditional systems often rely on centralised control, meaning a single point of failure can disrupt operations. In contrast, swarm-based systems continue to function even if individual units fail, with each robot making local decisions while contributing to the overall task.
The research was conducted using small Zumo 2040 robots in a laboratory environment designed to replicate mining conditions. There were 3 operational models tested: a basic collection model, an ant-inspired system with task sharing, and a honeybee-inspired system focused on exploration and mapping prior to task execution.
While the work was focused on mining, the implications for security and safety are clear. In large, complex or hazardous environments, distributed robotic systems could support patrol, inspection and incident response without exposing personnel to risk.
The honeybee-inspired model delivered the strongest results, reducing travel distance by up to 80 per cent, cutting energy use by around 50 per cent, and completing tasks up to 60 per cent faster than the baseline approach. This model relies on initial exploration and mapping, allowing the system to build an understanding of its environment before acting.
The ant-inspired model also improved performance by dividing tasks between units, with some robots focused on detection and others on transport or response.
Lead author Dr Joven Tan said the work demonstrates how biological systems can inform practical engineering solutions.
“Social insects have developed very efficient ways of solving problems together,” Tan said.
“By applying these ideas to robotics, we can create systems that are more efficient, adaptable and reliable for industries such as mining.”
For security applications, this type of distributed intelligence could support continuous monitoring across large sites, with robots tasked with detecting anomalies, tracking movement or verifying alarms.
Swarm robotics could also undertake support patrol and inspection of large industrial sites, monitoring of remote infrastructure, and rapid deployment into hazardous environments following an incident.
The underlying principle of the swarm is straightforward. Instead of relying on a single, centralised system, security and safety operations could be supported by multiple autonomous units, each contributing to detection, verification and response.
Project leader Dr Noune Melkoumian said the research highlights the value of adaptive, decentralised systems.
“Nature has spent millions of years developing efficient ways for groups to work together,” Melkoumian said.
“By learning from these systems, we can develop new technologies that are more flexible, reliable and efficient.”
You can learn more about swarm robotics in this video below or read more SEN news here.
“Swarm Robotics Offers New Approach For Security And Safety Operations.”
