Matjaž Pogačnik and Jakob Lavrič are developing a project that explores the organization of autonomous, self-sustaining systems. The work is inspired by firefly synchronization, a natural phenomenon in which fireflies coordinate their light pulses, and aims to recreate this behavior using simple electronic units.
The project involves the design of artificial “fireflies”, a small electronic devices equipped with a light source, internal timer, speaker, and an infrared (IR) communication interface. Each unit can detect signals from nearby fireflies and respond by adjusting its own behavior.
The fireflies interact with one another and are capable of complete synchronization. At the same time, they perform mutual data transmission, which can be observed, heard, and configured. This allows real-time insight into how the system self-organizes: how signals propagate, how synchronization emerges, and how information flows through the network.
References:
Mirollo, R. E., & Strogatz, S. H. (1990). Synchronization of Pulse-Coupled Biological Oscillators. SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, 50(6), 1645-1662. Synchronization of Pulse-Coupled Biological Oscillators Renato E. Mirollo; Steven H. Strogatz SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematic
Lewis, S. M., & Cratsley, C. K. (2008). Flash Signal Evolution, Mate Choice, and Predation in Fireflies. Annual Review of Entomology, 53, 293-321. Access PDF via Sci-Hub