techrtr

There was an interesting segment about Draganflyers on a Canadian science show called "Daily Planet" last night. Researchers at MIT are using computers to fly multiple DFs simultaneously and they can automatically follow a target around. It was kind of cool to see the DFs hovering almost perfectly steady. No yo-yoing and not really moving from side to side at all. It looked like the computers had complete control of the machines and there didn't seem to be any human input at all.

Fesfly

Yes, seen that. Nice steady flight indeed. They are completely controlled by the computers, DF have a bit of information and links on their website to the MIT group.

I can now get my DF to hover in one spot at almost any altitude from 12 inches to 10 feet in my living room - no yo-yoing and with little if any input - flat blades aligned perfectly, fresh motors, fully charged battery. Just put on new carbon blades which are nice and flat and they work well so far. Carefully checking everything is perfect goes a long ways to eliminate the yo-yoing. If any of the rotors blades have a little curve then it requires a bit more control compensation etc.

Sky High

Could either of you tape that if/when it airs again and please post it for us to see? Thanks.

phoglite

Sky - They have several videos posted on their website at http://vertol.mit.edu/

It looks like they use an artificial indoor positioning system that allows the draganflyers to know exactly where they're at in space at all times. This would be similar to GPS in the real world. One of the coolest things they show (IMO) is two DF's patrolling in different zones, keeping an eye out for rc cars driving around below. When spotted in a zone, the assigned DF will zoom down to investigate and follow the vehicle around. When it drives from one zone to the other, the first DF goes back to search mode and hands off the task of tracking the vehicle to the second DF that is monitoring the zone in which the vehicle crossed into. Impressive! -phog

Sky High

Thanks phoglite! That was amazing video of those DFs. It was really like they were thinking for themselves. I really liked the one where three were in the air at once. I think they should have done those demos in a larger room to show how they could move and lock on to their targets. I also noticed that those DFs were using the larger motors like on the X-Pro model.