Nissan fish robots to avoid crashes

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Japanese car firm Nissan has come up with a new robotic model mimicking the behaviour of fish in an attempt to create an accident-free world.

The three-wheeled robot, titled Eporo, is designed to move in a group of up to seven vehicles without crashing into each other.

Its laser range-finder helps to measure the distance between the obstacles and thus avoid collision.

The information is continually shared among the robots with the help of radio, making it easier for the group to travel as a shoal of fish.

The new technology enables the cars to travel side-by-side or quickly switch direction as a group.

Toshiyuki Andou, principal engineer of the project, said: "We, in a motorised world, have a lot to learn from the behaviour of a school of fish in terms of each fish's degree of freedom and safety."

This is the second time the car giant has looked to the animal kingdom for inspiration for its designs.

Last year, the manufacturer had introduced BR23C robot, a model based on the behaviour of bumblebees.

The latest robotic model will be displayed at Japanese design fair Ceatec on 6 October.

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