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

Flying, Swarming, Killer Drones This is not pure fiction.  The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Project Agency - DARPA - has an ambitious research program well underway to develop flying, swarming, killer drone aircraft. It's "The Gremlin Drone Airforce" for national security and military protection in time of war. The Gremlins UAS DARPA's program is called The Gremlins UAS, unmanned aircraft systems. The concept is to launch swarms of killer drone aircraft mid-air from large aircraft carriers out of range of enemy forces.  When they complete their mission, The Gremlins would be retrieved by C-130 transport planes.  They would go back to base and be prepared for more combat missions. Multi-Tasking Gremlins DARPA and the US Military intend to test the Gremlins in 2019.  The drones would swarm together to carry out missions on the frontlines. Each drone has different capabilities. Their tasks are mission critical including intelligence, su

It sounds like the stuff of science fiction.  But it's a fact.  NASA is developing autonomous tiny drones, the size of bees.  NASA's Marsbees  will explore the planet Mars for any signs of Martian  life. The drones are cutting edge robotic innovation.  NASA views them as potentially leading the way for the eventual colonization of Mars. Swarming Marsbees Marsbees is an extraordinary, artificial intelligence (AI), drone development NASA project.  The tiny drones are shaped and sized like bees with one exception.  Their wingspan is much larger.  The wings are the size of cicada's.wings  They're designed to fly through Mars' thin atmosphere with speed, distance, agility and duration.  They handily outpace NASA's cumbersome rovers.  Rover Curiosity landed in 2012 and has only travelled 12 miles. Wireless Transmissions The drones are steered by artificial intelligence.  Like satellites, they transmit data to scientists wirelessly.  NASA plans on launchi