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

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 11116.1;6 PFNM-NM

Short description (English)

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

Short description (French)

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

Abstract (English)

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 (French)

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.