Special Issue on Bio-Logging and Robotics

Abstract

In the studies done to date on the swarm behaviors of animals, many different observational techniques have been developed, indicating the importance of such detailed observations. The techniques of researchers aiming to capture the swarm behavior of animals, which is normally visually unobservable, have included attaching microsensors to honey bees or ants and data loggers (micro recorders) to birds or mammals. Such techniques, collectively known as “bio-logging,” can go far in clarifying why we feel animals that exhibit swarm behaviors seem to have a sort of collective intelligence, or “swarm intelligence.” Furthermore, studies on the swarm behaviors of animals may provide important clues to researchers in the field of swarm robotics. It is in this context that this special issue presents papers on bio-logging technologies, the collective behaviors of animals, and various advanced measurement technologies related to them. This special issue consists of one review article and 14 research papers. The subjects cover a wide range of areas, including control engineering, data science, and ecology. Thus, bio-logging is an interdisciplinary area that can expect to see much growth in the near future. The editors are confident that this issue will greatly contribute to further progress in the field of bio-logging.