Effect of the Wake Induced by a Drone on Olfactory Sensing

Abstract

Integrating olfaction into flying robots enhances their utility in tasks such as search and rescue and hazard detection. Bio-hybrid sensors based on insect antennae have a high sensitivity; however, the effects of drone-induced airflow on odor detection remain unclear. In this study, we used computational fluid dynamics and experiments with a tethered drone to examine the influence of sensor placement on detection performance. We observed that propeller-induced flow draws in air over a wide area, and the sensor position affects the detectable odor region and signal strength. These findings highlight the importance of sensor placement for accurate odor source localization in drones and possibly in animals.