The MiFly system enables a drone to determine its position in the dark and indoors. — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
American engineers have developed a new system that simplifies the autonomous navigation of drones in an indoor environment, with or without light. There could be multiple uses for this technology, from handling goods in warehouses to first aid operations.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new system capable of accurately tracking the position of a drone in indoor environments, even in darkness or low visibility conditions. The invention, called MiFly, uses cross-polarised radars and wireless beacons to enable the drone to track its position autonomously.
A cross-polarised radar emits electromagnetic waves and analyses their signal reflected by beacons previously installed on the walls. By interpreting these signals, the drone can accurately determine its position in six dimensions, regardless of visibility. A drone must be able to position itself and orient itself accurately on these six axes if it is to one day fly completely autonomously. The researchers have so far conducted hundreds of flight experiments and found that MiFly systematically locates the drone with an accuracy of less than seven centimeters.
Unlike outdoor drones that rely on GPS, this solution could provide an alternative to conventional indoor navigation systems, such as computer vision (analysis of the environment via cameras and AI algorithms) or LiDAR (3D mapping by laser beams), which are often limited by low light levels.
This is a major step towards autonomous navigation in the future and the uses that could come with it, whether in the automated management of warehouse stock or for possible search and rescue missions in confined or poorly lit environments. – AFP Relaxnews
