AI Unleashed: Revolutionizing Autonomous Drone Navigation
A leading-edge project led by University of Missouri researchers aims to equip drones with autonomous visual navigation capabilities, potentially transforming the way drones operate and…
Drones News
Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are aircraft without a human pilot aboard, controlled remotely by a human operator or autonomously via onboard computers. Originally developed for military applications, their use has expanded into civilian sectors including photography, surveillance, agriculture, and delivery services. Drones vary in size and complexity, from small personal devices that can be maneuvered with a smartphone to sophisticated systems used by governments and industries for specific tasks like monitoring climate change, conducting search and rescue operations, or mapping large areas. The proliferation of drone technology raises important regulatory and ethical issues, such as privacy concerns, airspace management, and safety. As technology advances, drones are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life, promising innovative solutions across various fields while also posing new challenges.
Energy From the Sky: How Drones Can Generate Electricity
Dr. Duc H. Nguyen has received funding to research Airborne Wind Energy Systems, aiming to improve their safety and efficiency for potential commercialization and a…
AI in the Fields: Revolutionizing Agriculture With Smart Technology
AI and robotics are transforming agriculture, making it more sustainable and efficient through targeted interventions in crop management. Researchers from the University of Bonn are…
The Future of Flight: Researchers Develop Neuromorphic Drones That Learn Like Animals
The first neuromorphic vision and control system has been implemented in a flying drone. Researchers at Delft University of Technology have created a drone that…
Flying Mortarboard Drone: Mark Rober Tells MIT 2023 Graduates To Throw Themselves Into the Unknown
The engineer and YouTuber advises the Class of 2023 to embrace optimism and collaboration. At the OneMIT Commencement ceremony on June 1, Mark Rober —…
MIT Unveils Advanced Algorithm To Keep Drones From Colliding in Midair
Researchers create a trajectory-planning system that enables drones working together in the same airspace to always choose a safe path forward. When multiple drones are…
Tiny Microdrones Propelled by Light-Driven Nanomotors
A hand-held laser pointer produces no noticeable recoil forces when it is “fired” — even though it emits a directed stream of light particles. The…
Satellites and Drones Are Being Used To Study Glacial Physics and Predict Sea Level Rise
Brent Minchew leads two proposals to better understand glacial physics and predict sea-level rise as part of MIT’s Climate Grand Challenges competition. When we think…
Giving Bug-Like Bots a Boost: New Artificial Muscles Improve the Performance of Flying Microrobots
A new fabrication technique produces low-voltage, power-dense artificial muscles that improve the performance of flying microrobots. When it comes to robots, bigger isn’t always better….
New Cyber Protections Against Stealthy “Logic Bombs” Targeting 3D Printed Drones, Prostheses and Medical Devices
Cyber attackers could target 3D-printed objects in health care, aerospace, and other fields. Cybersecurity researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and the Georgia Institute of Technology…
New Algorithm Trains Drones To Fly Around Obstacles at High Speeds
New algorithm could enable fast, nimble drones for time-critical operations such as search and rescue. If you follow autonomous drone racing, you likely remember the…
Secrets of Highly Efficient Swimming Uncovered for Design of Next-Generation Underwater Drones
University of Virginia School of Engineering researchers uncover the secrets of highly efficient swimming at varying speeds. A robotic fish tail and an elegant math…
New Algorithm Flies Drones Faster Than World-Class Human Racing Pilots
To be useful, drones need to be quick. Because of their limited battery life, they must complete whatever task they have — searching for survivors…
New MIT Algorithm Helps Robots Collaborate to Get the Job Done
Algorithm enables robot teams to complete missions, such as mapping or search-and-rescue, with minimal wasted effort. Sometimes, one robot isn’t enough. Consider a search-and-rescue mission…
First People in the US to Experience Drone Delivery Give It a Seal of Approval
The week of Thanksgiving last year, a postcard arrived in mailboxes in Christiansburg. A link to a survey was on the back. On the front,…
Insect-Inspired Flying Robots: Researchers Introduce a New Generation of Tiny, Agile Drones
The technology could boost aerial robots’ repertoire, allowing them to operate in cramped spaces and withstand collisions. If you’ve ever swatted a mosquito away from…
U.S. Army Developed Algorithms Improve Quadrotor Drone Performance
Researchers develop algorithms to enable drones to quickly switch between hover and forward flight. When an aircraft veers upwards too much, the decrease in lift…
ABOVE & Beyond: New Drone Technology Improves Ability to Forecast Volcanic Eruptions
Specially-adapted drones developed by a University College London-led international team have been gathering data from never-before-explored volcanoes that will enable local communities to better forecast…