Robotic helicopter with an onboard computer (metal box, lower centre) for its autopilot program. The leads link to servo-mechanisms that the computer

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Robotic helicopter with an onboard computer (metal box, lower centre) for its autopilot program. The leads link to servo-mechanisms that the computer uses to fly the helicopter. This helicopter was developed at MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), USA. It comprises a radio-controlled minicopter that was modified with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, an altimeter, a compass and an array of inertial sensors. These relayed data about test flights flown by remote control. The data was used to simulate the flights and write the autopilot software. It performed the first-ever autonomous axial roll in November 2001. Planned uses include filming and military uses.

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Size: 4961px × 3705px
Photo credit: © VOLKER STEGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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