Book 15, Question 39
Why Does a Robot with a Light Sensor Follow a Flashlight?
A robot with light sensors follows a flashlight by comparing left and right! It has one sensor on the left and one on the right. A simple rule makes it look like it is chasing the light.
More fun facts
- Some robots have two light sensors on top, like antennae.
- If more light falls on the left sensor, the robot turns left, and if more falls on the right, it turns right.
- Scientists built robot ants that act like a real ant colony.
- Real ants leave a chemical trail, but the robot ants left a trail of light.
- The light trail got brighter each time another robot followed the same path.
- The lead scientist said each robot on its own is pretty dumb.
Sources: BBC
Questions kids ask
How did robot ants follow each other?
Real ants leave a chemical trail, but the robot ants left a trail of light that got brighter each time another robot followed it.