MIT researchers develop autonomous glider that can land on a wire

The latest research at MIT is not just paving tips on how to more agile autonomous aircraft, nonetheless it\’s a reminder of ways much catching up we have got to do to compare the complexity and ability of the typical bird. In a project that\’s been ongoing since 2005, Rick Cory and Russ Tedrake have developed a mathematical model of the way a bird lands on a wire and emulated the move with an autonomous glider. To regulate the glider, they developed a system that permits the craft to keep watch over itself and the placement of the wire using external cameras, sending control data if adjustments must be made. As it truly is, UAVs are generally limited to a similar set of maneuvers that piloted aircraft have, but the researchers don\’t feel that this needs to be the case. For their next trick they plan to take the show outside, in addition as develop vehicles with flapping wings. Here is all great, but we\’re holding out for a device that pitches (and wisecracks) in addition as Woody Woodpecker.