How flying insects and drones can discern up from down

Scientists have developed a theory that can explain how flying insects determine the gravity direction without using accelerometers. It also forms a substantial step in the creation of tiny, autonomous drones. Scientists have discovered a novel manner for flying drones and insects to estimate the gravity direction. Whereas drones typically use accelerometers to this end, the way in which flying insects do this has until now been shrouded in mystery, since they lack a specific sense for acceleration. In an article published today in Nature, scientists from TU Delft, the Netherlands, and Aix Marseille Université / CNRS, France, have shown that drones can estimate the gravity direction by combining visual motion sensing with a model of how they move. The study is a great example of the synergy between technology and biology. On the one hand, the new approach is an important step for the creation of autonomous tiny, insect-sized drones, since it requires fewer sensors.