Humlor’s local sense is as good as yours

Bumblebees have no problem finding home after being out on long and complicated trips, new research from Lund University shows. They have a very good local sense, at least as good as humans.

Bumblebees can store past experiences in their long-term memory, by monitoring directions and distances as they fly.

“Our study provides important keys to understanding how bumblebees can achieve seemingly mammal-like navigational feats despite only using a brain the size of a pinhead,” says Rickesh Patel, researcher in mind biology at Lund University and co-author of the study, in a press release.

The purpose of the research is not only to understand bumblebees better. The researchers also hope it can inspire new technology, such as robots that can navigate without relying on GPS satellites.