Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have developed a drone that can fight back against powerful winds which would render most current models unusable.

Most drones can only operate effectively in ideal weather conditions. However, in order for drones to be able to perform necessary tasks, such as delivering packages or airlifting injured drivers from a traffic accident, they must be able to adapt to wind conditions in real-time.

A team of engineers from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have found a solution. They have developed ‘Neural-Fly’, a deep-learning method that can help drones cope with new and unknown wind conditions, allowing them to fly even in extreme events such as hurricanes.

The five-pound drone can recalculate weather conditions around it five times per second, and adapt its path accordingly, as described in a study published in Science Robotics.

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Source: eandt.theiet.org