Imagine you’re in a sci-fi movie, surrounded by advanced technology and futuristic gadgets.
Now, think about this happening in real life!
This isn’t a scene from a movie but the result of research by Dr. Fu Zhang from the University of Hong Kong, who has created an extraordinary drone named PULSAR.
Drones are now widely used in many areas, including search and rescue missions and mapping buildings.
But PULSAR takes drone technology to a whole new level. It’s named after an astronomical pulsar, which spins and scans in a similar way to how this drone works.
PULSAR is equipped with a small computer and a LiDAR sensor, a tool that helps it understand and navigate its surroundings. This amazing drone can work both indoors and outdoors and doesn’t need any extra tools or instruments.
What makes PULSAR so unique?
Its design includes a single actuator, a part that powers the drone and allows it to move. Dr. Zhang’s team has shown that PULSAR can detect obstacles in real-time, follow complicated paths, and even fly autonomously in complete darkness!
Moreover, PULSAR can handle windy conditions, ensuring safer and steadier flights even when the weather is unpredictable. Despite its size, the PULSAR drone can stay in the air for over 12 minutes, and with a few tweaks, this could extend to over 40 minutes.
But there’s more! PULSAR can also improve the field of view (how much it can see) without consuming too much power.
Usually, extending the field of view needs big sensors or multiple sensors, both of which require a lot of energy. However, PULSAR can do the same job while saving a significant amount of energy.
Dr. Zhang believes that his team’s work will help further research into self-rotating drones and inspire the next generation of technology.
The research finding was published in Science Robotics.
