Self-Assembling Multi-Copter Demonstrates Networked Flight Control 48
cylonlover writes "Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated an amazing capability for small robots to self-assemble and take to the air as a multi-rotor helicopter. Maximilian Kriegleder and Raymond Oung worked with Professor Raffaello D'Andrea at his research lab to develop the small hexagonal pods that assemble into flying rafts. The true accomplishment of this research is that there is not one robot in control – each unit in itself decides what actions to take to keep the group in the air in what's known as Distributed Flight Array."
Re:energy and commands by cable (Score:4, Interesting)
The same about wi-fi; it is 50 - 70 meters into the air and "signal is lost".
To send a satellite into the space for cartography costs millions. But a stable quadrocopter with a cable of 1 kilometer or at least 500 meters would allow to make aero-imagery suitable for cartography cheap and fast
Balloons with helium are messy and unstable.
Re:the units talk to each other.. (Score:4, Interesting)
Consider reading my above comment Technology marches on [slashdot.org]. It leads with a suggestion specifically addressing those who don't RTFA - take a look and follow the advice.