Vision-based autopilot for mini-drones (Feasibility Study)

• Forschungsstelle: INNOSUISSE
• Projektnummer: 11116.1;6 PFNM-NM
• Projekttitel Englisch: Vision-based autopilot for mini-drones (Feasibility Study)

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

Vision-based autopilot for mini-drones (Feasibility Study)

Kurzbeschreibung (Französisch)

Vision-based autopilot for mini-drones (Feasibility Study)

Abstract (Englisch)

This project aims at implementing and testing a novel autopilot for mini-drones to enable them to fly autonomously in cluttered environments by actively avoiding collisions with obstacles such as buildings. The basis of this project is a patent-pending technology recently developed at EPFL, which takes inspiration from flying insects to devise an efficient vision-based control strategy that maps visual signals (optic flow) into commands in real-time. However, the current research prototype works only with natural obstacles. This feasibility study aims at assessing the use of a CSEM vision chip to improve signal quality and enable flight in man-made environments, which would significantly increase its commercial potential.

Abstract (Französisch)

This project aims at implementing and testing a novel autopilot for mini-drones to enable them to fly autonomously in cluttered environments by actively avoiding collisions with obstacles such as buildings. The basis of this project is a patent-pending technology recently developed at EPFL, which takes inspiration from flying insects to devise an efficient vision-based control strategy that maps visual signals (optic flow) into commands in real-time. However, the current research prototype works only with natural obstacles. This feasibility study aims at assessing the use of a CSEM vision chip to improve signal quality and enable flight in man-made environments, which would significantly increase its commercial potential.