Few drone pilots enjoy the often-tedious process of charging their UAV of choice. However, several new technologies are taking off that make powering up a breeze – from charging pile technology to landing-pad stations to portable compact chargers. But laser beams? That’s science-fiction, right? Not anymore. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, … [Read more...] about Swiss Start-Up Fires Up Laser-based Drone Charger
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
New Drone Shows Can See, Learn From Its Environment
As the FAA scrambles to hold UAV operators responsible for their flights before the holiday buying season is officially upon us, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich are doing their best to remove the need for such operators all together. The Institute has published a paper and a video demonstrating a small drone that can build a 3D map of its … [Read more...] about New Drone Shows Can See, Learn From Its Environment
Mapping New Horizons for Autonomous Drones
Despite the fact that drones are flying to new heights across a myriad of industries such as mining, agriculture, energy and research, the learning curve needed to manually pilot UAVs can cause the best laid plans to crash and burn thanks to lack of skilled pilots. If drones are to ever become main-stream, advanced innovation in semi-autonomous and autonomous models must … [Read more...] about Mapping New Horizons for Autonomous Drones
Tiny, Biologically Inspired Motion Sensor Can Help Drones Avoid Collisions
(Source: technologyreview.com) A tiny artificial eye inspired by the vision systems of insects could help small flying drones navigate their surroundings well enough to avoid collisions while buzzing around in confined, cluttered spaces—a key step in making these small autonomous flying vehicles practical. An emerging class of very small flying drones has taken off in … [Read more...] about Tiny, Biologically Inspired Motion Sensor Can Help Drones Avoid Collisions
If Drones Make You Nervous, Think Of Them As Flying Donkeys
(Source: kuer.org) One week last year, Jonathan Ledgard was talking with White House officials about how drones could deliver cargo to remote Africa. The next week, he was in a remote African village, telling elders how drones could change their lives. He heard the same fears from both audiences: Will the drones crash into our houses? Will they spy on us? Will they … [Read more...] about If Drones Make You Nervous, Think Of Them As Flying Donkeys
