Important Innovations

MIT's Drones with NanoMaps MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory has developed new technology that guides drones to avoid collisions as they fly.  It's an artificial intelligence "Artful Dodger" system.  And it's important new innovation. No Collision Course MIT's NanoMap models in the uncertainty of changing conditions as the drones fly.  The system includes depth sensors that constantly measure the distance between  the drone and objects around it.  This creates an image for the machine of where it's been and where it's headed.  That information storage allows the drone to plan its motion and avoid crashing into objects in its path. Passed the Pilots Test DARPA,  the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, is part of the funding behind this research. And, the "Artful Dodgers" have been successfully tested.  The drones flew through dense forests and warehouses at 20 mph without any...

MIT's Groundbreaking Robot Fish for Marine Exploration It's called SoFi, the robo fish.  SoFi is a soft robot developed by a research team at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL). True to MIT's robotic legacy, SoFi is highly advanced and has achieved underwater firsts.  In fact, it's considered the most advanced robot of its kind. Swim with the Fish - SoFi the Explorer The little robot recently swam untethered alongside of unsuspecting fish off Fiji's Rainbow Reef.  It reached depths of 50 feet for as long as 40 minutes at a time.  That's a first.  What makes this important innovation is that it's a groundbreaking new way to study marine life, up close and personal.  Equipped with cameras, Sofi can shoot footage safely in places, at close range, that humans can't get to. The swimming robot explorer opens up underwater worlds not seen.   Fish Tale SoFi is a biomimetic bot that closely resembles a f...

Flying, Driving Drones From the MIT roboticists who created the world's first flying monkey comes flying, driving drones.   Roboticists at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have developed a quadcopter drone with wheels.  It drives and flies autonomously.  The drones can swarm in groups.  And they can do so without colliding with each other.  There's an important innovation breakthrough here.  Current drone robots that are good at one form of transportation aren't good at another.  The MIT drone is good at both flying and driving. Flying Monkeys This same team of roboticists previously created a robot called the "flying monkey".  The monkey flies, runs and grasps objects.  But it isn't autonomous.  The researchers program its paths.  It can't safely travel on its own.  But it has served as a foundation for the roboticists next iteration on their innovation theme - flying, driving drones. F...