Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study proposes a bio-inspired control framework for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms, designed to emulate the collective motion phase transitions observed in the homing behavior of pigeon flocks. A second-order self-propelled particle model is established, integrating a self-propulsion term, an interaction potential term, and a key roosting force term inspired by the roosting behavior of pigeons. The framework enables the swarm to dynamically switch between a translational motion phase and a vortex motion phase based on the distance to a designated roost location. Based on the proposed swarm model, theoretical analysis proves the stability property of the specific two motion phases under specific conditions. Numerical simulations validate the stability of the two motion phases, demonstrating that UAV swarms can reliably maintain each phase and execute phase transitions triggered by the roosting force. The proposed framework is able to describe the phase transition behavior in the process of pigeons returning home.
Source: Drones
Authors: Lingchen You, Haibin Duan, Yongqiong Yuan
Language: English
Subfield: Computer Networks and Communications
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Awards: G28272571, G3904751935, G6142149642
OpenAlex ID: W7157194841