Lifeboat Foundation

Wings aren’t the only things that make birds so successful. If it weren’t for their feet, how would pelicans skimming the tips of waves be able to suddenly land on a pier piling, or owls grab a mouse at 64 kilometers per hour without missing a beat? Robot birds must be able to do the same—something that has been a challenge, until now.

In a new study, researchers analyzed the anatomy and behavior of a tiny American parrot called a parrotlet and peregrine falcons, two species known for their expert footwork. They then designed “SNAG” (Stereotyped Nature-Inspired Aerial Grasper) — a pair of jointed legs attached to feet with jointed talons that automatically close around any object they encounter, be it a dowel, branch, or tennis ball.

“Compared with other traditional methods, the proposed has lower computational complexity, faster operation speed, weak influence of light, and strong ability to locate dirt,” the research group said. “The improved path planning algorithm used in this study greatly improves the efficiency of UAV inspection, saves time and resources, reduces operation and maintenance costs, and improves the corresponding operation and maintenance level of photovoltaic power generation.”

The novel approach uses mathematical morphologies for image processing, such as image enhancement, sharpening, filtering, and closing operations. It also uses image histogram equalization and edge detection, among other methods, to find the dusted spot. For path optimization, it uses an improved version of the A (A-star) algorithm.

This remarkable miniature rotorcraft is so lightweight and efficient that it can lift its own mass given nothing but sunlight. The entire thing weighs about as much as four paperclips, and it can fly all day if the sun’s shining.

Researchers at China’s Beihang University and the Center of Advanced Aero-Engine, have unveiled CouloumbFly, a palm-sized miniature rotorcraft that weighs just 4.21 g (0.15 oz) – yet still boasts a rotor diameter of 20 cm (7.9 in), making it around 600 times lighter than any other comparable small solar-powered drone.

Continue reading “Ultra-light electrostatic VTOL drone flies indefinitely in sunlight” »

What happens when humanity begins living in space, building larger space stations, and creating a purely space based economy. Space drones will deliver goods between stations, farming stations will grow food, and space hotels will host celestial events and viewing parties for eclipses and welcoming parties for spaceships returning from Mars.

This sci-fi documentary takes a look at the future of space stations and space technology, starting with the retiring of the International Space Station, and ending with the construction of the largest rotating ring world space station, with its own atmosphere and lakes that evaporate creating clouds and rain.

Continue reading “TIMELAPSE of Future Space Stations (Sci-fi Documentary)” »

AI will enable drone wingmen to make autonomous decisions without centralized command.

According to Airbus, FCAS will be centered around a core Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS). In this “system of systems,” piloted New Generation Fighters will work together with Unmanned Remote Carriers – all connected to other systems in space, in the air, on the ground, at sea and in cyberspace via a data cloud called the “Combat Cloud.”

Continue reading “AI-powered drone wingmen to aid Europe’s 6th-gen combat jets” »

After creating the world’s first self-organizing drone flock, researchers at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, Hungary have now also demonstrated the first large-scale autonomous drone traffic solution. This fascinating new system is capable of far more than what could be executed with human pilots.

The staff of the Department of Biological Physics at Eötvös University has been working on group robotics and drone swarms since 2009. In 2014, they created the world’s first autonomous quadcopter flock consisting of at least ten units. The research group has now reached a new milestone by publishing the dense autonomous traffic of one hundred drones in the journal Swarm Intelligence.

Continue reading “Self-organizing drone flock demonstrates safe traffic solution for smart cities of the future” »

The AI technologies developed will allow autonomous systems, such as drones and self-driving cars, to navigate unexpected variables.

Quantum Systems, the Munich-based manufacturer of dual-use reconnaissance drones that use multi-sensor technology to collect data for government agencies and commercial users, confirms for the first time the deployment of a previously unreleased AI sensor upgrade of the type “Receptor AI” in Ukraine. The new upgrade kit is based on a Jetson Orin Nvidia chip and several sensors for the Vector reconnaissance drone. The further development enables optical navigation during the day and at night and in poor visibility conditions, as well as automated AI-supported object recognition and identification. In times of electronic warfare, navigation is the biggest challenge for the use of drones.

“We are implementing the upgrade without any weight changes and with the same range. We are designing these adaptations without fundamental changes to the existing platform architecture,” says Daniel Kneifel, Director of Software Engineering at Quantum Systems.

“We are demonstrating that AI does not have to be an abstract topic, but offers tangible benefits in use. For Quantum Systems, the combination of hardware and software is crucial to being able to offer market-leading solutions in the field of aerial intelligence,” says Sven Kruck, CRO and Managing Director, Quantum Systems.

A University of Maryland spinoff firm, Wave Engine Corporation, has created a simpler, more affordable jet propulsion system for drones.

The digitally controlled modern-day pulsejet engine features no moving parts and claims to offer major improvements in the cost reduction and rapid production of future jet-powered aircraft.

Continue reading “Wave begins delivery of fire-spewing engine with no moving parts” »