*Three drones work together to carry a package using a new algorithm developed at TU Delft. | Source: Sihao Sun

In a world where for centuries the development of freight transportation has been hampered by such human weaknesses as the desire to chat with a colleague, disputes about who will carry a heavy load, or sudden sick leave, an elegant solution has finally appeared. Researchers from Delft University of Technology have developed an algorithm that allows a swarm of drones to synchronously lift and transport bulky and heavy objects.

It's not just about improving drones. This is the creation of an ideal team of flying robots that do not go on strike, do not require a salary increase and do not suffer from back pain after lifting weights. While humanity is looking for ways to cope with the shortage of personnel in logistics, Dutch scientists propose to solve the problem literally on the fly.

An algorithm that replaces a foreman and a couple of sturdy movers

The essence of the invention is to create a decentralized system where drones, like a flock of intelligent insects, independently coordinate their actions. The algorithm calculates the optimal points of force application in real time, distributes the weight and corrects the trajectory so that the load is stable and does not sway.

"Our approach allows drones to work together, adapting to the shape and weight of any object without the need for centralized control," explains one of the lead developers.

Simply put, this is a digital version of a team that works smoothly, without the human factor in the form of those who often "mess up". The irony is that it didn't take years of training to coordinate multiple machines—good code is enough.

An economy without social obligations: the future belongs to flying transporters

The situation becomes especially funny if you imagine the economy of the future. Why hire a team of movers, pay for insurance, apply for permits, and worry about injuries when you can just launch a swarm of drones?

They:

* Do not drink tea in the workplace. Their "break" is to recharge at a charging station.

* They do not form trade unions. Their "collective agreement" is written in the program.

* They don't get tired or make mistakes. Their effectiveness does not decrease by the end of the shift.

This solution helps not only with logistics, but also with demographic problems of the aging population. The younger generation is less willing to work physically, and robotic packs are able to replace them with incredible efficiency.

A career for Roy: who is looking for a job for "cyber bees"?

The logical continuation of automation is the issue of organization. Who will select the optimal swarm of drones for a specific task — for example, transferring solar panels to the roof or delivering equipment to hard-to-reach places? This is where specialized platforms such as come to the rescue.jobtorob.com, where autonomous robots can find their "employer". This is a new level of automation: when a machine not only performs work, but also finds a task for itself.
 

"Imagine how drones quickly deliver equipment in natural disasters, bypassing rubble, or carry materials at a height before scaffolding is erected," says another participant in the project.

The future with a cloud of smart drones

What awaits us? This technology promises fantastic prospects: cargo delivery in megacities without traffic jams, unloading ships in ports using flying swarms, and installation work at high altitude.

The human role in this process is increasingly reduced to observation and strategy. Hard and monotonous physical labor is gradually becoming a relic of the past. We can only hope that in the new world, where drones carry our suitcases, we will find more interesting things to do. Or maybe we'll become swarm operators. Until algorithms have learned how to hire and train themselves.