
How drones can be prevented from crashing into things, or at least in a way that doesn’t put and end to their flight, is a legitimate problem for this burgeoning technology
Some are calling it the World Cup for Drones, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has simply labeled it the Drones For Good award.
Whichever way you spin it, offering up US$1 million in prize money is sure to bring out great ideas from all corners of the globe. The international competition seeks to emphasize the positive capabilities of drones and on Saturday, a team of Swiss technologists took out first prize with a vehicle that flies protected by a spinning cage, helping it to better travel through confined spaces.
Last month we did a roundup of the finalists for the Drones For Good Award, so we won’t go over them in great detail here. But the Flyability team from Switzerland beat out some truly big-picture ideas to claim first prize. These include drones that detect landmines, drones that shoot seedpods into the ground to help replantation efforts and drone delivery nets that could form the mailboxes of the future.
We covered the Gimball drone when it first emerged back in 2013, and at first glance the concept is not as eye-catching as those above. It’s not promised to save lives, conserve protected rainforests or disrupt the package delivery game, but indirectly, it may prove to have a far greater impact across a number of industries.
The team says its aim in developing Gimball was to mimic the ability of insects to crash into obstacles and continue in flight. To this end, the drone is housed inside a carbon fiber cage, which sits inside another rotating, spherical frame. As the drone crashes into walls, beams and ceilings, the outer frame takes the impact and the inner remains stable, allowing it to continue on its way.
Read more: Crash-proof UAV takes out US$1 million Drones For Good Competition
The Latest on: Drones For Good
via Google News
The Latest on: Drones For Good
- The 8 Best Accessories for the DJI Mini 2on January 27, 2021 at 7:17 pm
The Mini 2 may be diminutive, but it sure packs a big punch. DJI’s follow up to the Mavic Mini exceeded all expectations and set the new standard for mini-drones. Right now, it’s the best ...
- From biplanes to drones: How the Navy's carrier aircraft have dominated battlefields for almost a centuryon January 27, 2021 at 2:08 pm
US Navy aircraft carriers, and the array of aircraft they bring with them, have become essential to US power projection.
- Can Robots and Drones Help to Fight COVID-19?on January 27, 2021 at 1:00 pm
As such, there is a big push to use drones and other manned and unmanned aerial vehicles to help combat infection rates. We have already seen drones working within the military and also embraced in ...
- Drone Certification Preparation Offeredon January 27, 2021 at 11:24 am
The courses provide the fundamental knowledge needed in preparing for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Remote Pilot Certification Exam. Certifying pilots is essential because the number of drones in the ...
- DJI just announced a new flyaway insurance plan for the Mavic Air 2 and Mini 2on January 27, 2021 at 10:12 am
In the rare circumstance that your DJI Mavic Air 2 or Mini 2 does get a brain of its own and flies away, you can pay DJI a percentage of the cost of a new drone and get a replacement. It’s still ...
- Drone Regulation Progress: DRONEII’s EU and US Regulation Timeline, from 2016 to the Futureon January 27, 2021 at 7:13 am
This may sound bad but is actually good news since it finally allows them to use drones to their fullest potential. Operation over people, at night, beyond visual line of sight or a combination of ...
- DJI launches new flyaway protection for Mavic Air 2 and Mini 2on January 27, 2021 at 4:23 am
A long time ago, when drones were first coming on the market, it wasn’t uncommon at all for them to suddenly stop responding and simply fly away. As expensive as drones can be, this is a big ...
- Shapeshifting Pegasus Drone Both Drives And Flies, Now Has Smart Radioon January 27, 2021 at 4:00 am
The Pegasus family of drones, like Starscream from Transformers, can change shape between ground and aircraft modes. But beyond the cool factor, what’s the point of building a hybrid air/ground drone.
- DJI is now selling a warranty to replace your drone if it flies away – Jawebon January 26, 2021 at 4:41 pm
... losing your nice drone, it’s good to have more options, should it ever decide to slip the surly bonds of Earth to visit the great drone factory in the sky. DJI is now selling a warranty to replace ...
- DJI is now selling a warranty to replace your drone if it flies awayon January 26, 2021 at 4:29 pm
Still, if you’re worried about losing your nice drone, it’s good to have more options, should it ever decide to slip the surly bonds of Earth to visit the great drone factory in the sky. Vizio’s ...
via Bing News