University of York leads seabird-inspired research to develop next-generation autonomous navigation systems beyond GPS

University of York leads seabird-inspired research to develop next-generation autonomous navigation systems beyond GPS

(IN BRIEF) University of York is leading a collaborative research project with the University of Liverpool to investigate how seabirds navigate vast distances and how these biological strategies can be translated into advanced autonomous navigation systems. By developing miniature sensors that act as “digital brains,” the team aims to capture and process environmental data in real time, enabling machines to navigate without relying on GPS. The project focuses on species such as the Manx shearwater, whose remarkable navigational abilities remain only partially understood. Funded by UK Research and Innovation, the initiative combines expertise in semiconductor technology, machine learning, and animal behaviour to uncover how birds integrate natural signals to make accurate navigation decisions. The resulting insights could lead to more resilient navigation technologies for aviation, shipping, and space exploration, particularly in environments where GPS is unavailable or unreliable. Additionally, the research may inform environmental policy by identifying how human activities, such as renewable energy development, could impact seabird navigation systems.

(PRESS RELEASE) YORK, 23-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — University of York is spearheading a pioneering research initiative exploring how the remarkable navigation abilities of seabirds could shape the future of autonomous travel, from self-driving vehicles to robotic explorers on distant planets.

A multidisciplinary collaboration between the University of York and the University of Liverpool is developing advanced miniature sensors designed to function as compact “digital brains.” These next-generation devices aim to capture and interpret environmental information from a bird’s-eye perspective, potentially enabling navigation systems that operate independently of GPS technology.

Seabirds such as the Manx shearwater are known for their extraordinary ability to travel vast distances in search of food and then return accurately to their nesting sites. Despite extensive study, the precise mechanisms behind this navigational capability remain largely unknown. The research team intends to address this mystery using sensors no larger than a fingernail, built with state-of-the-art semiconductor technology, to collect data on the environmental signals birds encounter during flight.

These highly compact devices will not only record data but also process it in real time using machine learning algorithms. Acting as embedded “digital brains,” they will analyse how seabirds interpret multiple environmental cues simultaneously, allowing researchers to better understand how these animals make precise navigational decisions.

The two-year project is funded by the UK Research and Innovation Cross Research Council Scheme and is led by the University of York, which is responsible for developing the sensor and computational technologies. The University of Liverpool contributes its expertise in animal behaviour to complement the engineering and physics aspects of the research.

Chun Zhao, Lecturer at the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York and project lead, explained that the technology builds on principles similar to those used in mobile phone microchips but is being refined to become smaller, more resilient, and more powerful. The aim is to capture natural environmental signals and process them directly on the device, enabling real-time pattern recognition that mirrors how seabirds make navigation decisions.

The broader ambition is to translate this biological intelligence into digital systems, creating bio-inspired navigation technologies capable of operating without reliance on satellite-based positioning systems.

This innovation could address critical vulnerabilities associated with GPS, which is susceptible to interference such as jamming and spoofing—issues that currently disrupt thousands of commercial flights daily, particularly in sensitive regions. Beyond Earth, the technology holds promise for space exploration, where GPS infrastructure does not exist. On planets like Mars, where no satellite navigation system is available, such systems could enable fully autonomous robotic navigation.

Dr Ollie Padget from the University of Liverpool highlighted the efficiency of seabird navigation, noting their ability to orient themselves even in unfamiliar environments without satellite assistance. The project seeks to uncover the underlying learning mechanisms that enable this capability.

In addition to technological applications, the research could provide valuable insights into seabird biology. By identifying the environmental signals birds depend on, the findings could help policymakers assess whether renewable energy developments may inadvertently interfere with these cues, thereby protecting bird migration patterns.

Professor Samantha Patrick from the University of Liverpool emphasized that understanding how seabirds use different navigational cues at varying scales could deepen scientific knowledge while informing sustainable marine development practices.

Professor Martin Trefzer from the University of York, an expert in unconventional brain-inspired computing, added that the project aims to develop systems where sensing and processing occur simultaneously within the same device. By embedding intelligence directly into sensors, the technology can learn from environmental inputs in real time, reflecting principles observed in living organisms.

The project is scheduled to commence in spring 2026, marking a significant step toward the development of resilient, bio-inspired autonomous navigation systems.

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SOURCE: University of York