Future Factories to be 'Manned' by Bionic Ants and Butterflies

Robotic ants and butterflies could be the industrial world's future, as shown by German engineering firm Festo.

Festo recently revealed robotic ants and butterflies developed under its Bionic Learning Network program, which aims to develop technology inspired by animals. According to The Telegraph, the butterflies and ants can communicate to accomplish tasks which a single machine cannot. Cameras positioned in work areas monitor the movement of the robots which are controlled by a computer.

"Like their natural role models, the BionicANTs work together under clear rules. They communicate with each other and coordinate both their actions and movements. Each ant makes its decisions autonomously, but in doing so is always subordinate to the common objective and thereby plays its part towards solving the task at hand," said Dr. Heinrich Frontzek, Head of Corporate Communication and Future Concepts at Festo.

The ants and butterflies are small in size and the company hopes that someday they would perform roles of humans and other big robotic components like robotic arms in factories.