Technology & Humanity
Self-adjusting Drone Controls Could Make For Smoother Formation Flying
From Phys.org Technology · October 28, 2026
According to research published in the International Journal of Systems, Control and Communications, a new method for controlling unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) formations could improve flight smoothness while reducing energy consumption and mechanical wear. The approach utilizes a self-coupling proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller combined with fuzzy logic processing.
The researchers developed a model where drones interact through mathematical elements representing virtual springs and dampers. This allows the model to monitor how a formation deforms under disturbances and how it recovers autonomously. The fuzzy logic component adapts control parameters, providing stronger corrections during large deviations and subtler adjustments as the formation stabilizes.
Tests indicated that this method resulted in smoother flight adjustments with fewer abrupt command changes. Researchers noted that these smoother commands could potentially limit actuator wear and tear and lower energy use in applications such as surveillance and reconnaissance.
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