Potential applications for swarm robotics are many.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cheraghi, |first1=Ahmad Reza |last2=Shahzad |first2=Sahdia |last3=Graffi |first3=Kalman |title=Past, Present, and Future of Swarm Robotics |doidate=2021 |arxiv=10.48550/arXiv.2101.00671 |doi-access=free}}</ref> They include tasks that demand [[miniaturization]] ([[nanorobotics]], [[microbotics]]), like distributed sensing tasks in [[micromachinery]] or the human body. One of the most promising uses of swarm robotics is in [[rescue robot|search and rescue]] missions.<ref name="tvt">Hu, J.; Niu, H.; Carrasco, J.; Lennox, B.; Arvin, F., "[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9244647 Voronoi-Based Multi-Robot Autonomous Exploration in Unknown Environments via Deep Reinforcement Learning]" IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 2020.</ref> Swarms of robots of different sizes could be sent to places that rescue-workers cannot reach safely, to explore the unknown environment and solve complex mazes via onboard sensors.<ref name="tvt"/> On the other hand, swarm robotics can be suited to tasks that demand cheap designs, for instance [[mining]] or agricultural shepherding tasks.<ref name="tcds">Hu, J.; Turgut, A.; Krajnik, T.; Lennox, B.; Arvin, F., "[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9173524 Occlusion-Based Coordination Protocol Design for Autonomous Robotic Shepherding Tasks]" IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems, 2020.</ref>
More controversially, swarms of [[military robot]]s can form an autonomous army. U.S. Naval forces have tested a swarm of autonomous boats that can steer and take offensive actions by themselves. The boats are unmanned and can be fitted with any kind of kit to deter and destroy enemy vessels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/06/tech/innovation/navy-swarm-boats/index.html|title=U.S. Navy could 'swarm' foes with robot boats|first=Brad |last=Lendon|date=6 October 2014 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>
