Cat-Like Whiskers Help Tiny Drones Fly in the Dark
Source: Wired ·
Researchers took lessons from nocturnal animals to help rescue drones overcome a key challenge: flying in the dark.
From the source
After a disaster like a landslide, an earthquake , or a major fire, rescue workers have to locate survivors as soon as possible, and they are increasingly using drones for this critical task—especially ultra-compact drones that can fit into the crevices of a collapsed structure. There are, however, some serious limitations to the technology. Weighing less than a stick of butter, ultra-compact drones don’t have as much compute or power capacity as larger models, and this restricts the power of their sensors. That means if a building is filled with smoke or the disaster happens at night, the drone’s cameras and lidar will cease to function. Even a clear pane of glass can be an obstacle the drone might not sense. Now, a research team at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands—drawing inspiration from the whiskers of nocturnal animals— has developed a lightweight, tactile sensor for drones to navigate even when they can’t “see.” Some nocturnal animals, like mice and to some…
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