Unlocking Animal Navigation: Franck Ruffier's Bio-Inspired Robotics

Breaking the Wall of Bio-Inspired Robotics

Winner Interview 2024: Social Sciences and Humanities

Franck Ruffier, an Engineering and Technology winner, is pioneering the field of bio-inspired robotics by decoding the visual guidance systems of animals. His research utilizes optic flow and low-resolution vision principles, applying them to real robots and drones to enhance stability and navigation, offering new insights into both robotics and animal behavior.

Which wall does your research or project break?

My research breaks the wall of mystery of visual guidance and navigation in animals by proposing new bio-inspired principles, then testing them on real robots and finally understanding them better.

The highlight of my research activity is the introduction of new bio-inspired principles for robotics using optic flow and low-resolution vision. Since 2019, I have continued to show that the concept of optical flow regulation is generic. I have declined the use of optic flow cues for other visuo-motor behaviors as take-off in seabirds (Serres et al. 2019) but also for minimalist odometry including on multirotor (Bergantin et al. 2021, 2023) and for drone stabilization without accelerometer (De Croon et al. 2022)."

What are the three main goals of your research or project?

To advance our understanding of visual guidance in animals, I propose leveraging bio-inspired principles derived from both our biological experiments and existing literature. By studying the natural mechanisms that animals use to navigate and perceive their environments, we can identify innovative strategies that can be applied to engineering. I test these principles by implementing them on mini-robots and micro-air vehicles (MAVs), including flapping-wing MAVs that mimic the flight mechanics of birds and insects. This approach allows for practical experimentation and validation in dynamic, real-world scenarios. Through this process, I aim to refine our understanding of visual guidance systems in insects and in animals, potentially leading to new breakthroughs in robotics and navigation technology that emulate the efficiency and adaptability found in biological systems.

What advice would you give to young scientists or students interested in pursuing a career in research, or to your younger self starting in science?

Reading articles regularly helps you stay informed and inspired by new ideas and perspectives. Keeping your imagination alive allows you to think creatively and innovate in your field. Trusting yourself and your scientific knowledge is essential for confidence in your work and the ability to contribute meaningfully to discussions and advancements. By balancing these elements, you can continually grow and make a positive impact in both your personal and professional life.

What inspired you to be in the profession you are today?

My love of Nature and technologies.

What impact does your research or project have on society?

More than 100 science popularisation event or press clippings. 

What is one surprising fact about your research or project that people might not know?

It takes years to get a robot working: a robot prototype works only from time to time as we always face technical problems.

What’s the most exciting moment you've experienced over the course of your research or project?

When you see with your own eyes that a robot is finally working, imitating biological behavior as it exists.