Ant engineers build bridges for tomorrow's robots

By Peter Spinks
Updated December 1 2015 - 10:08am, first published November 24 2015 - 7:26pm
Ants use their bodies to bridge two table tops. Photo: Chris Reid
Ants use their bodies to bridge two table tops. Photo: Chris Reid
Researchers Chris Reid (left) and Matthew Lutz in the ant jungle. Photo: Chris Reid
Researchers Chris Reid (left) and Matthew Lutz in the ant jungle. Photo: Chris Reid
Twisting and turning, ants build another living bridge of bodies. Photo: Chris Reid
Twisting and turning, ants build another living bridge of bodies. Photo: Chris Reid

Swarms of plucky army ants renowned for building "body bridges" can dismantle and rebuild their amazing structures within seconds, enabling them to span great distances.