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What can be learnt from analysing insect orientation flights using probabilistic SLAM?

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Abstract

In this paper, we provide an analysis of orientation flights in bumblebees, employing a novel technique based on simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) a probabilistic approach from autonomous robotics. We use SLAM to determine what bumblebees might learn about the locations of objects in the world through the arcing behaviours that are typical of these flights. Our results indicate that while the bees are clearly influenced by the presence of a conspicuous landmark, there is little evidence that they structure their flights to specifically learn about the position of the landmark.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Informatics, Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK

    Bartholomew Baddeley, Andrew Philippides, Paul Graham, Thomas Collett & Phillip Husbands

  2. School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

    Natalie Hempel de Ibarra

Authors
  1. Bartholomew Baddeley
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  2. Andrew Philippides
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  3. Paul Graham
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  4. Natalie Hempel de Ibarra
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  5. Thomas Collett
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  6. Phillip Husbands
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Correspondence to Bartholomew Baddeley.

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Baddeley, B., Philippides, A., Graham, P. et al. What can be learnt from analysing insect orientation flights using probabilistic SLAM?. Biol Cybern 101, 169–182 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00422-009-0327-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00422-009-0327-4

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