Feature Animals

How bats could help tomato farmers (and the U.S. Navy)

Researchers are learning from the flying echolocators to improve undersea sonar and even harvest planning

underwater shipwreck

BAT SIGNALS  The U.S. Navy uses sonar to image underwater objects and obstacles, such as this shipwreck in Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. Taking inspiration from bats, naval researchers hope to get sharper images with smaller, cheaper sonar equipment.

J. Gaudette, Naval Undersea Warfare Center

By Amber Dance

- More than 2 years ago

Bats, with their superb ability to echolocate, are inspiring advanced technologies — from better Navy sonar to gadgets that might deliver packages or help farmers manage crops.