You've most likely heard of nature inspiring useful technologies we use in our daily lives (i.e., Velcro, various cleaners, computer chips), but how about in car safety? Leave it to none other than the car-safety gurus over at Volvo to try to implement a unique natural phenomenon into future pedestrian safety systems. As the story goes, upon hearing of Dr. Claire Rind's locust studies at Britain's Newcastle University back in 2002, Volvo engineers quickly picked up their pens and pads and began taking diligent notes. Rind's research was primarily on the interesting behavioral patterns the insects portray when traveling in swarms. While other animals hit and bounce off one another when too close, locusts have an innate ability to stay clear of each other even while traveling in massive heaps. Visual images in the locusts' eyes are almost instantly transmitted to the wings, thus bypassing the brain and avoiding collision. The behavior is called the Locust Principle.
Immediately after learning all they could from Dr. Rind, the engineers translated the locust behavior into an algorithm to be used in pedestrian-safety technologies. Unfortunately for them, 2002 computer technology wasn't capable of processing the complex formula. But according to Volvo officials, technology that can possibly transmit images into an immediate preventative action is almost upon us.
Until then, Volvo continues to develop its very effective City Safety low-speed collision-avoidance system. The current system is said to be able to completely stop an XC 60 should the driver ahead brake suddenly.
"Beyond City Safety, our next step will be our first pedestrian-avoidance feature," stated Volvo Preventive Safety leader Jonas Ekmark. "Although City Safety is not related to our Locust research, we are confident that our first pedestrian auto brake feature will be very good at taking actions to help avoid hitting pedestrians."
"While some interesting ideas came from this study, we still have many more years of research ahead to bring that small locust brain into our cars. We have found a lowly locust has man beat, at least for now. Still, the big question remains: How do groups of locusts keep from bumping into each other? Maybe there is more to be learned? We will continue to follow interesting paths in our efforts to reach our safety vision: to design cars that do not crash."
If the gurus over in Sweden happen to find a way to integrate the Locust Principle into their cars, the potential for it saving lives is pretty amazing. Not to mention it's likely viable for extensive use in other industries as well.
This could be a very useful invention. Imagine the possibilities of this coming standard in every car. The implications this could have on safety and even insurance. Perhaps rates would drop because if this system works there would be fewer accidents on the road.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how science can study a group of insects and incorporate them into our daily lives. Who would have thought the study of locust could one day be a key to our safety on the road.
Picture cars as locusts and imagine traffic accidents being avoided, funny but not really. It amazes me when such brilliant ideas come from looking at things as tiny as insect instinct. And also that such rapid reaction comes from the bugs by bypassing the brains. Sigh, I take great pride in driving a Volvo. There brilliant safety features never fail to amaze me!
ReplyDelete