A machine-learning project at UK's University of Sheffield are using simple drones and have created automatic-control software that enables the "flying robot" to learn about its surroundings using a camera and an array of sensors. The robot starts with no information about its environment and the objects within it. But by overlaying different frames from the camera and selecting key reference points within the scene, it builds up a 3D map of the world around it. Other sensors pick up barometric and ultrasonic data, which gives additional clues about the environment. This information is fed into autopilot software to enable the robot to navigate safely and learn about the objects nearby and navigate to specific items. The process of taking a large number of images of the same scene, possibly with inaccurate data about where they were taken, and building a 3D model is called Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM).
This reminds me when PlayStation 2 exports were restricted in 2000 because the graphics chip was powerful enough to control missiles equipped with terrain reading navigation systems. To prevent the console falling into the hands of Saddam, Qaddafi et al, no one could take more than two PlayStation 2s out of Japan. No flying PlayStations have been spotted but that may now change.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Covalent on Sunday June 29 2014, @10:12PM
Power. These are terrific, and there is definitely a future for tech like this. I have high confidence that in 10 years (no, really 10 years) the software and computing power will be able to be integrated into the device and these copters will be capable of autonomy. But so long as this artificial bird is limited to the short battery life currently available, there is a major limitation its use.
As I see it, there are three possible solutions.
1. MUCH better batteries / ultracapacitors. This is one of those "5 years away" tech problems, though...
2. Solar charging. If this thing could sit in the sun, recharge for an hour, then fly for a little while, wash, rinse, repeat...
3. Refueling from nature. This one is tricky, but birds eat...why not quadcopters?
You can't rationally argue somebody out of a position they didn't rationally get into.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Sunday June 29 2014, @10:22PM
Perhaps a stopgap solution is to use methanol Carnot engines? The amount of energy per weight is superior so far t batteries.
(Score: 2) by Covalent on Monday June 30 2014, @03:55AM
An excellent idea, or maybe fuel cells as well. The problem with the engines is usually noise, but then that copter might be kinda noisy anyway.
You can't rationally argue somebody out of a position they didn't rationally get into.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Monday June 30 2014, @06:48AM
What's the pricing for fuel cells these days? (in "RC size")
Energy / Weight for methanol-carnot-generator vs fuel cell?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Sebastopol on Monday June 30 2014, @01:19AM
In 1995, Intel's PentiumPro was banned for sale to China, they promptly used it as marketing hype. Several years later, Apple's first vector processor engine was also banned; they published an ad of their mac surrounded by tanks saying "too powerful to export" or something like that.
Funny how this was a big marketing bullet in late 90's early 00's, but now China makes some of the fastest supercomputers on earth using Intel, AMD and Nvidia chips. I have no idea what happened, why the US gov't seems to no longer care. Probably because: profit.