Sonar is a cost-effective, energy-efficient tool for measuring distances in robots, self-driving vehicles, and other autonomous systems. While highly accurate, sonar can sometimes produce ambiguous readings, making navigation in complex environments challenging. Until now, there were no “sonar signs” to guide autonomous systems—until researchers found inspiration in nature.
Prof. Jan Steckel (University of Antwerp) and Dr. Ralph Simon (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), together with colleagues from Germany, looked to bat-pollinated flowers for a solution. Bats rely on echolocation to navigate, but when hunting nectar close to plants, they face obstacles. Some flowers have evolved specialized structures that reflect sound waves, making them stand out to bats.
Inspired by these natural “acoustic beacons,” the team developed artificial sonar reflectors to guide robots and autonomous vehicles. Different reflector shapes can even transmit commands, effectively acting as sonar-based traffic signs.
Practical applications include:
Robotics: Helping autonomous robots navigate cluttered warehouses or manufacturing floors.
Autonomous vehicles: Enhancing vehicle navigation in low-visibility conditions such as fog, rain, or smoke.
Maritime shipping: Guiding unmanned vessels through crowded ports or canals.
Industrial automation: Enabling autonomous mining trucks or drones to follow precise paths safely.
“Bio-inspired sonar signs offer a reliable, low-cost way to improve autonomous navigation,” Steckel says. “They open new opportunities for robotics, transport, and industrial automation—essentially any field where sonar sensing is used.”
eRTIS Autonomous Robots
