A cutting-edge development by Professor Fu Zhang and scientists from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has actually made it possible for drones and micro air lorries (MAVs) to emulate the flight capabilities of birds more carefully than ever previously.
Unlike birds, which browse unidentified environments with remarkable speed and agility, drones usually rely on external assistance or pre-mapped routes.The group has established the Safety-Assured High-Speed Aerial Robot (SUPER), efficient in flying at speeds going beyond 20 meters per 2nd and avoiding challenges as thin as 2.5 millimeters such as power lines or twigs using entirely on onboard sensors and computing power.With a compact design featuring a wheelbase of just 280 mm and a launch weight of 1.5 kg, SUPER demonstrates remarkable agility, navigating dense forests during the night and skillfully avoiding thin wires.Professor Zhang explains this invention as a game-changer in the field of drone technology: Picture a Robot Bird promptly maneuvering through the forest, effortlessly dodging branches and barriers at high speeds.
This is a considerable advance in self-governing flight technology.
Our system enables MAVs to browse intricate environments at high speeds with a level of security formerly unattainable.
Its like providing the drone the reflexes of a bird, allowing it to dodge obstacles in real-time while racing towards its goal.The development lies in the sophisticated integration of hardware and software.SUPER uses a lightweight 3D light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor capable of detecting obstacles up to 70 meters away with determine accuracy.This is coupled with a sophisticated planning structure that generates two trajectories throughout flight: one that optimizing speed by venturing into unknown spaces and another prioritizing security by staying within known, obstacle-free zones.By processing LIDAR data directly as point clouds, the system substantially lowers calculation time, making it possible for fast decision-making even at high velocities.The technology has been evaluated in various real-life applications, such as the self-governing expedition of ancient websites, and has demonstrated smooth navigation in both indoor and outdoor environments.The capability to prevent thin barriers and navigate tight areas opens brand-new possibilities for applications like search and rescue, where every 2nd counts.
SUPERs robustness in numerous lighting conditions, consisting of nighttime, makes it a trusted tool for day-and-night operations.said Mr Yunfan Ren, the lead author of the research paper.The research team visualizes a wide variety of applications for this innovative technology, including self-governing shipment, power line examination, forest tracking, autonomous expedition, and mapping.In search and rescue missions, MAVs equipped with SUPER technology might swiftly navigate catastrophe zones such as collapsed buildings or dense forests day and night, locating survivors or evaluating dangers more efficiently than present drones.
In catastrophe relief scenarios, they might deliver vital products to remote and unattainable areas.Source: The University of Hong Kong.