Archive for the ‘drones’ category: Page 148
Nov 9, 2016
US military successfully tests electrical brain stimulation to enhance staff skills
Posted by Dan Kummer in categories: drones, military, neuroscience
US military scientists have used electrical brain stimulators to enhance mental skills of staff, in research that aims to boost the performance of air crews, drone operators and others in the armed forces’ most demanding roles.
The successful tests of the devices pave the way for servicemen and women to be wired up at critical times of duty, so that electrical pulses can be beamed into their brains to improve their effectiveness in high pressure situations.
The brain stimulation kits use five electrodes to send weak electric currents through the skull and into specific parts of the cortex. Previous studies have found evidence that by helping neurons to fire, these minor brain zaps can boost cognitive ability.
Nov 3, 2016
Who really invented Iraq’s ‘Al Robot’ combat drone?
Posted by Dan Kummer in categories: drones, robotics/AI
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wn0ylHNCr0c
Iraqi militia forces debuted an unmanned ground combat vehicle this week — but was it really invented by two nameless Iraqi brothers?
Oct 30, 2016
Boeing Unveils Amazing, Slightly Terrifying New Electromagnetic Pulse Weapon — The Motley Fool
Posted by Sean Brazell in categories: drones, military
With pinpoint accuracy, this electronic warfare drone can black out opposing forces at will.
Boeing’s “CHAMP” (Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project) is a one-missile, flying blackout. Image source: Boeing.
Oct 29, 2016
Video Friday: Russian Android, Swarm User Interface, and Robot Drone Man
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: drones, robotics/AI
Oct 23, 2016
This artificially intelligent camera drone can follow its subjects around
Posted by Bryan Gatton in categories: drones, robotics/AI
Oct 22, 2016
A Bird’s Eye View Courtesy of Virtual Reality
Posted by Elmar Arunov in categories: drones, virtual reality
Oct 20, 2016
Drone receives wireless power, on the fly
Posted by Shane Hinshaw in categories: drones, energy
Given that the battery life of most multicopter drones typically doesn’t exceed 30 minutes of flight time per charge, there are many tasks that they simply can’t perform. Feeding them power through a hard-wired tether is one option, although that only works for applications where they’re hovering in place. Scientists at Imperial College London, however, are developing an alternative – they’re wirelessly transferring power to a drone as it’s flying.
For their study, the scientists started with an off-the-shelf mini quadcopter. They proceeded to remove its battery, add a copper coil to its body, and alter its electronics.
The researchers also built a separate transmitting platform that uses a circuit board, power source and copper coil of its own to produce a magnetic field. When placed near that platform, the drone’s coil acts as a receiving antenna for that magnetic field, inducing an alternating electrical current. The quadcopter’s rejigged electronics then convert that alternating current to direct current, which is used to power its flight.
Oct 13, 2016
Quantum film sensor stops delivery drones crashing into things
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: drones, military, quantum physics
A sensor that uses infrared laser light and quantum film detects objects up to 20 metres away, helping drones to dodge collisions.
Oct 7, 2016
Verizon trials drones as flying cell towers to plug holes in internet coverage
Posted by Shane Hinshaw in categories: drones, internet, robotics/AI
Verizon has joined the likes of Facebook, Google and fellow telecommunications giant AT&T in exploring the potential of internet-connected unmanned aircraft. While its vision involves expanding 4G coverage across the US, it has an immediate focus on shoring up communications for first responders in emergency situations, and recently carried out trials to that effect.
Verizon has dubbed the initiative Airborne LTE Operations (ALO) and says it has actually been in the pipeline for around two years. The company has been working to integrate internet connectivity into unmanned aerial vehicles and hook them up to its 4G network, daisy chaining coverage and beaming it down to unconnected areas in the process. This is similar to how Facebook hopes its Aquila drones will work.
Verizon recently teamed up with company American Aerospace Technologies to see how using drones as gliding cell towers could have an impact in disaster relief scenarios. In a simulated mission in New Jersey, the team set a drone with a 17-foot (5.2 m) wingspan in flight to put the onboard technologies through their paces.