Cat-Like Whiskers Help Tiny Drones Fly in the Dark
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 developeda lightweight, tactile sensor for drones to navigate...
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