WPI Scientists Develop Bat-Like Drones That ‘See’ with Sound
- MM24 News Desk
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Professor Nitin Sanket has been awarded a $704,908 grant from the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a revolutionary sound-based navigation system for miniature drones. Inspired by the echolocation of bats, this bio-inspired research aims to enable tiny robots to operate in smoke, dust, and darkness—environments where traditional vision-based systems completely fail.
When Professor Nitin Sanket observes birds darting through dense forests or bats navigating pitch-black caves, he sees a blueprint for the next leap in robotics. This vision has now been formally recognized with his first NSF grant, awarded through the highly competitive Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR) program. His project, “Sound Navigation: Enabling Tiny Robots to Find Their Way Through Smoke, Dust, and Darkness,” will receive funding over three years to develop autonomous systems that allow drones to "see" with sound.
“cReceiving this grant, I feel very accomplished and re-energized to push the boundaries of bio-inspired robot perception forward.” For over a decade, his work has focused on vision-based autonomy, but he recognized its limitations in poor conditions, according to the university's announcement.
The research will focus on creating tiny aerial robots—smaller than 100 millimeters and weighing under 100 grams—that can navigate independently using sound instead of cameras. To achieve this, Professor Sanket's team will tackle several interconnected challenges. They will develop specialized metamaterials to dampen the noise interference from the drones' own propellers, a critical step for clear acoustic sensing. They will also pioneer software that uses physics-informed deep learning to interpret the complex echoes from ultrasonic signals.
Furthermore, the system will rely on sophisticated sensor fusion, combining sound data with inertial measurements to create a reliable navigation picture. Finally, a reinforcement learning framework will teach the drones how to reach their destination while intelligently avoiding obstacles, all guided by sound. “This work will enable rapid deployment of robots in challenging environments such as disaster zones or smoke-filled areas,” Professor Sanket stated. “It’s about creating tools that support protection, prevention, and preservation in a cost-effective, scalable, and deployable way.”
The potential applications are vast and critical, ranging from search and rescue missions and disaster response to monitoring hazardous industrial sites and protecting fragile ecosystems. The core principles could also benefit other fields like self-driving cars that encounter heavy fog or underwater vehicles monitoring coral reefs where light fades quickly. Beyond the technological breakthroughs, Professor Sanket finds his greatest motivation in mentoring the next generation of engineers. “The most rewarding part of this work is collaborating with students, discovering new ideas, and solving hard problems in creative ways,” he shared.
His advice to other researchers is to passionately pursue the grants they truly believe in. As he looks forward, Professor Sanket envisions a future where these small, intelligent robots become partners in making human life safer and better. “I’m excited to keep learning from nature,” he said. “The more we understand how the natural world solves problems, the better we can build robots that make life safer and better for everyone.”
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