IIT-Mandi study uses robots to decode animal homing behaviour

The researcher found that beyond an optimal level of randomness, the duration of homing remains unaffected.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi researchers claim to have made “significant advances” in understanding how animals navigate their way back home after foraging even when confronted with unexpected detours.

Using small, programmable robots, the researchers explored the complexities of homing behaviour within a controlled environment, IIT-Mandi said in a statement on August 26.

The ability to return home after activities like migration or foraging is crucial for many animals. Homing pigeons, for instance, are known for their ability to deliver messages over long distances due to their exceptional navigation skills.

Similarly, sea turtles, salmon, and monarch butterflies undertake long journeys to return to their birthplaces. This homing behaviour, common in nature, has long intrigued scientists.

Different species use various strategies to achieve homing. Some rely on path integration, calculating their return based on the distance travelled 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 navigation remains an area of research.

The research team investigated these patterns using small robots designed to mimic animal behaviour.

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 statement said.

The robots navigate use independently controlled wheels and adjust their paths based on light intensity, similar to certain animals.

The researcher found that beyond an optimal level of randomness, the duration of homing remains unaffected.

Computer simulations further supported these findings, revealing that occasional “resets”, where the robots reoriented directly toward home, enhanced their ability to correct their paths.

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 Arup Biswas from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai. The experimental work was led by Dr Nitin Kumar and Somnath Paramanich from IIT-Bombay.