They observed through tunnel experiments that they always veer to the right, a simple rule that keeps every member of the flock safe. A swarm of drones could be used to map offshore oil spills , researchers at the University of Buffalo said . Souma Chowdhury , assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering , and his team simulated a five - drone swarm that can map a nearly 100 km oil spill in just nine minutes . To do so , they created a method for the drones to quickly record whether they are over oil , gas or the edge of the spill and quickly share the information with others in the swarm , the American Institute of Physics and Technology ' Science and Technology Forum heard .
A swarm of drones could be used to map offshore oil spills , researchers at the University of Buffalo said . Souma Chowdhury , assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering , and his team simulated a five - drone swarm that can map a nearly 100 km oil spill in just nine minutes . To do so , they created a method for the drones to quickly record whether they are over oil , gas or the edge of the spill and quickly share the information with others in the swarm , the American Institute of Physics and Technology ' Science and Technology Forum heard .