Articles tagged with "aerial-robotics"
Turkey stages world’s first autonomous jet dogfight in historic test
Turkey has achieved a world-first milestone in autonomous aerial warfare by successfully conducting a fully autonomous close formation flight between two Kizilelma unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). On December 28, Baykar, a Turkish defense firm, demonstrated these jet-powered drones performing synchronized, high-speed formation flying without any human intervention, relying solely on artificial intelligence, onboard sensors, and real-time data exchange. This breakthrough highlights Turkey’s leadership in unmanned aviation and marks a significant advancement in AI-powered aerial combat capabilities. The Kizilelma drones, introduced in 2022, are designed for rapid, maneuverable missions in hostile environments, including aerial dogfights and cooperative operations with manned fighter jets. Featuring stealth technology, AI-driven flight control, internal weapon storage, and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities from ships, the Kizilelma represents a new class of combat drones with capabilities previously exclusive to crewed fighters. The program is currently in advanced flight
robotautonomous-dronesunmanned-aerial-vehiclesAI-in-aviationmilitary-technologydrone-swarmaerial-roboticsNew interceptor aircraft can hunt and kill drones flying at 124 mph
The Allag-E electric interceptor, developed by UAE-based defense company EDGE, is a next-generation ground-to-air counter-drone system designed to hunt and destroy fast-moving drones. Featuring a compact airframe with a 700mm wingspan and weighing approximately 8.5 kg, the Allag-E uses dual electric ducted fans for high maneuverability and speeds exceeding 250 km/h (155 mph). It can engage targets up to 15 km away, flying at speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) and altitudes of 3,000 meters. The interceptor carries a 1.7 kg warhead equipped with a fragmentation cutting disk-type charge and a proximity sensor, enabling it to neutralize drones even in near-miss scenarios with a lethal blast radius over 5 meters and accuracy within 10 meters. This system addresses the increasing threat posed by drones in modern warfare, where unmanned aerial vehicles have become prevalent in conflict zones. The emergence of drone warfare has significantly
robotdrone-technologyunmanned-aerial-vehiclescounter-drone-systemselectric-interceptordefense-technologyaerial-roboticsInsect-like flying bot completes rapid somersaults and sharp turns
MIT researchers have developed a miniature aerial robot inspired by insect flight that demonstrates unprecedented speed, agility, and maneuverability. Roughly the size of a microcassette and lighter than a paperclip, the robot uses soft artificial muscles to power large flapping wings at high frequency, enabling rapid acceleration, tight turns, and complex aerial stunts such as somersaults. This marks a significant advancement over earlier insect-scale robots, which were limited to slow, predictable flight paths. The new design aims to enable these tiny flying machines to navigate confined or hazardous environments, such as collapsed buildings after earthquakes, where larger drones cannot operate. A key innovation behind the robot’s enhanced performance is a novel AI-based control system developed by MIT professors Kevin Chen and Jonathan How. This two-part system combines a model-predictive controller that plans complex flight trajectories with a lightweight deep-learning model trained via imitation learning to execute those plans in real time. This approach allows the robot to fly 447% faster and accelerate 255
robotmicrorobotaerial-roboticsartificial-musclesAI-controllerbioinspired-roboticsmicro-roboticsBattle-proven autonomy tech to bolster aerial unmanned systems’ power for attack missions
Shield AI and Destinus are partnering to integrate Shield AI’s battle-proven Hivemind autonomy software into Destinus’ unmanned aerial systems (UAS), specifically the Ruta and Hornet platforms. This integration aims to create a unified, scalable autonomy framework that enables diverse aerial systems to operate collaboratively in real time, enhancing coordination, survivability, and mission success in combat scenarios. Joint flight demonstrations are planned for 2026 to validate operational interoperability between the companies’ systems. The collaboration also seeks to accelerate the delivery of AI-enabled unmanned systems to Ukraine, bolstering European defense resilience. Hivemind is a modular, platform-agnostic autonomy software designed to enable heterogeneous teaming among reconnaissance and strike assets, closing the reconnaissance-strike loop with speed and precision while maintaining human oversight and decision-making. Destinus’ Hornet UAS emphasizes modularity with rapid payload interchangeability and offers fully autonomous operation at a lower cost and maintenance compared to traditional air defense systems. It is available in
robotunmanned-aerial-systemsautonomy-technologyAI-enabled-dronesdefense-technologyaerial-roboticsmilitary-roboticsInfravision raises $91M for power line maintenance drones
Infravision, a company specializing in aerial drones for power grid construction and maintenance, has raised $91 million in Series B funding to accelerate the adoption of its TX System. This system integrates drones, intelligent ground equipment, and stringing hardware to provide a faster, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional power line stringing methods, which often face delays and high costs. The TX System has been successfully deployed on major projects worldwide, including Powerlink Genex in Australia and emergency response efforts with PG&E in California, demonstrating its capability to handle complex and high-voltage transmission tasks while reducing outages and community disruptions. Led by GIC with participation from Activate Capital, Hitachi Ventures, and Energy Impact Partners, the funding will support Infravision’s expansion into the U.S. market, enhance its engineering talent pool, and scale manufacturing and operations. Since its 2018 launch, Infravision has completed over 40 major projects across four countries, saving clients millions of dollars
dronespower-line-maintenanceaerial-roboticsenergy-infrastructuregrid-modernizationautomationpower-transmissionSeneca brings in $60M to develop fire suppression drones - The Robot Report
Seneca, a startup focused on autonomous aerial fire suppression systems, has raised $60 million to develop AI-powered drones designed to detect and combat fires early. Their portable suppression drones can be hand-carried, transported via utility vehicles, or deployed remotely, extending firefighting capabilities in unsafe or hard-to-reach areas. The company has demonstrated its technology with fire agencies across four states and continues to improve targeting accuracy, payload capacity, safety, and usability based on firefighter feedback. Seneca’s founding team includes experts in hardware, fire strategy, and technology, and they collaborate closely with fire chiefs and leaders to ensure their solutions meet frontline needs. The funding round was led by Caffeinated Capital and Convective Capital, with participation from several venture firms, and will be used to enhance the system’s robustness, scale production, and deploy the first units in time for the 2026 fire season. Seneca’s efforts come amid a growing wildfire crisis in the U.S., where wildfire intensity has nearly tripled
robotdronesfire-suppressionautonomous-systemsAIwildfire-managementaerial-roboticsChinese team develops drones that exchange tools while flying
Researchers at Westlake University in China have developed the FlyingToolbox system, enabling multi-rotor drones to exchange tools mid-flight with unprecedented precision. This breakthrough overcomes the significant challenge of downwash—the turbulent airflow generated by the propellers of an upper drone that destabilizes a drone flying below it. The system pairs a lower “toolbox drone” carrying multiple tools with an upper “manipulator drone” equipped with a robotic arm that picks up and returns tools during flight. Using real-time airflow prediction via a neural network, magnetic docking mechanisms, and QR code-based visual tracking, the drones achieve sub-centimeter docking accuracy, maintaining stability even in strong turbulence. In experiments, the FlyingToolbox successfully completed 20 consecutive dockings with less than one centimeter of error, a marked improvement over previous aerial docking systems that typically had accuracies of six to eight centimeters. The magnetic docking system, combined with elastic cords, allows for automatic locking and error absorption during alignment. This technology enables drones to
robotdronesaerial-roboticsrobotic-armsdrone-technologymulti-rotor-dronesautonomous-systemsUncrewed aerial system with wildfire response platform planned
Two companies, Korean Air and Anduril Industries, have partnered to develop an automated aerial platform aimed at improving large-scale wildfire response. The collaboration focuses on integrating Korean Air’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with Anduril’s existing wildfire response platform, which includes the Fury autonomous air vehicle (AAV) and the Lattice software platform. This integrated system is designed to manage the entire wildfire response cycle with minimal human intervention by unifying detection data from various sensors across air, land, and space into a single operating picture, enabling rapid detection and assessment of wildfires. The platform allows operators to autonomously task both Anduril and Korean Air UAVs to assess fire scale and status, followed by deploying additional UAVs or crewed airtankers for suppression as needed. Korean Air brings its expertise in UAV development and stealth aircraft technologies to enhance the system’s capabilities. This initiative expands on an earlier teaming agreement between the two companies for unmanned systems cooperation in the Korean and Asia
robotunmanned-aerial-vehiclewildfire-responseautonomous-systemsIoT-sensorsaerial-roboticsemergency-technologyWoodpecker-inspired drone endures 70% head-on collisions impact
Researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a fixed-wing drone named SWIFT (Shockproof Woodpecker-Inspired Flying Tensegrity) that significantly improves collision resilience by mimicking the unique skull structure of woodpeckers. Woodpeckers endure repeated high-impact pecking without brain injury due to a combination of a rigid beak, a flexible hyoid bone wrapping around the skull, a spongy bone layer, and extra space around the brain that redirects impact forces. SWIFT replicates these features using tensegrity structures composed of carbon fiber rods, elastic cables, and plastic brackets to protect its electronic components, motor, and propeller by allowing them to move and absorb collision energy rather than transferring it directly. Beyond the fuselage, SWIFT’s wings incorporate a network of elastic cables and carbon fiber rods inspired by the shock-absorbing connective tissues in bird wing joints, reducing the risk of wing damage during impacts
robotdronebiomimicrycarbon-fibercollision-resilienceaerial-roboticstensegrity-structuresFalcon-inspired robot achieves bird-like takeoff with wing motion
Scientists in China have developed RoboFalcon2.0, a falcon-inspired flying robot that achieves bird-like takeoff through a novel flapping-sweeping-folding (FSF) wing motion. Unlike conventional robotic flyers that use fixed wings or rotors, RoboFalcon2.0 mimics the natural wing movements of birds by flapping, sweeping forward, and folding its wings in a coordinated rhythm. This reconfigurable wing system, enabled by mechanical decouplers and a lightweight frame, allows the robot to generate lift and control pitch effectively during takeoff. Wind tunnel tests and simulations demonstrated that sweeping the wings forward amplifies leading-edge vortices, enhancing lift and stabilizing pitch, which is critical for successful liftoff. Weighing 800 grams with a 1.2-meter wingspan, RoboFalcon2.0 captures the dynamics of small birds and replicates the high power consumption pattern observed in living birds during takeoff. Field tests confirmed smooth self-powered take
robotbio-inspired-roboticsflapping-wing-robotaerial-roboticsrobotic-flightbiomimicryautonomous-takeoffNew coordination tech lets drone swarms fly faster without accidents
Researchers at Durham University have developed T-STAR (Time-Optimal Swarm Trajectory Planning), a new coordination technology that enables drone swarms to fly faster and safer by sharing data in real time. This system allows drones to make instant decisions, avoid collisions, and navigate complex environments at high speeds, overcoming a key limitation where drone groups previously had to slow down to prevent crashes. Early tests demonstrate that T-STAR improves mission speed, reliability, and precision, making drone swarms more effective for urgent tasks like search and rescue, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. T-STAR’s real-time communication and collective decision-making capabilities allow drones to operate as an intelligent, coordinated swarm, opening new possibilities for their use in high-risk and time-sensitive scenarios. Beyond emergency response, the technology holds promise for industries such as logistics and agriculture, where large-scale autonomous drone operations could benefit from enhanced speed and safety. This advancement reflects a broader trend in drone swarm innovation, with other companies like Lockheed Martin, IBM
robotdrone-technologyswarm-roboticsautonomous-dronesreal-time-communicationcollision-avoidanceaerial-roboticsAI-powered aerial robots capture wildfire smoke data with precision
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have developed AI-powered aerial robots—coordinated drone swarms equipped with sensors—that can fly directly into wildfire smoke plumes to collect high-resolution, real-time data. Unlike traditional drones, these robots use artificial intelligence to detect and track smoke, enabling them to gather multi-angle data and create 3D reconstructions of smoke dispersion. This detailed information helps scientists better understand smoke particle composition and movement, which is crucial since smaller particles can travel long distances and impact air quality far from the fire source. The system offers a cost-effective alternative to satellite monitoring and aims to improve predictive models for wildfire smoke behavior and hazard response. The technology addresses limitations in previous smoke modeling and field data collection by providing real-time flow pattern analyses and particle characterization through Digital Inline Holography. Beyond wildfires, the researchers envision applications for monitoring other airborne hazards like sandstorms and volcanic eruptions. Future goals include developing the system into a practical early fire detection tool to enable faster response
robotdrone-technologyartificial-intelligencewildfire-monitoringenvironmental-sensingaerial-roboticsair-quality-tracking‘Skyfall maneuver’: NASA plans mid-air drop for 6 Mars helicopters
NASA and AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) have unveiled a new Mars exploration concept called Skyfall, which plans to deploy six autonomous scout helicopters simultaneously from a larger spacecraft during its descent through the Martian atmosphere. This "Skyfall maneuver" eliminates the need for a traditional landing platform, reducing costs and risks while dramatically increasing exploration speed and range. Scheduled for a potential launch by 2028, the mission aims to gather critical high-resolution surface images and subsurface radar data from multiple candidate landing sites, aiding the safe landing of future human missions targeted for the 2030s. Building on the success of the Ingenuity helicopter, which completed 72 flights on Mars between 2021 and 2024 and far exceeded its expected lifespan, Skyfall seeks to expand aerial exploration capabilities by deploying six helicopters that operate independently once on the surface. The data collected will not only facilitate crewed landings in resource-rich areas but also contribute to the search for past life on Mars. While
robotMars-explorationNASAautonomous-helicoptersaerospace-technologyaerial-roboticsspace-missionsWatch: Student‑built 3D-printed drone flies, dives, and swims
A team of applied industrial electronics students at Aalborg University in Denmark has developed a 3D-printed hybrid drone capable of flying, diving underwater, maneuvering beneath the surface, and resurfacing rapidly in a seamless sequence. Central to this capability is a variable pitch propeller system that adjusts blade angles for optimal performance in air and water—higher pitch for flight to generate airflow, and lower pitch underwater to reduce drag and improve efficiency. These propellers also provide negative thrust for precise underwater control. The drone’s smooth transitions between air and water, captured in continuous video footage, highlight the effectiveness of this straightforward propeller-based approach. The prototype was designed, fabricated using 3D printing and CNC machining, and programmed by the students over two academic semesters under the guidance of associate professor Petar Durdevic. While hybrid drones are not entirely new, this project stands out for its polished demonstration of rapid, repeatable air-to-water transitions without complex mechanical reconfigurations. The students envision applications in military
robotdrone3D-printinghybrid-dronevariable-pitch-propellersunderwater-roboticsaerial-roboticsJetson ONE aces rescue flight to 3,973 ft summit
The Jetson ONE, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) personal aircraft, was successfully tested in Southern Poland for mountain rescue missions, demonstrating its ability to reach the summit of Mt. Lubań (3,973 ft) in under four minutes despite strong winds up to 36 mph—conditions challenging even for helicopters. The tests, conducted with two ready-to-fly units, showcased the vehicle’s stability, control, and capability to take off and land in tight spaces with a single pilot. The Polish Mountain Rescue Team (GOPR) highlighted the Jetson ONE’s potential to cover up to 700 km² of remote terrain from a mountain summit, positioning it as a rapid-response "rescue spearhead" that can reach casualties faster than traditional methods such as ATVs or foot travel. The Jetson ONE’s lightweight design (115 kg), all-electric system, and quick deployment make it a low-maintenance, efficient tool for first responders, accelerating the arrival of
roboteVTOLrescue-droneelectric-vehicleemergency-responseautonomous-flightaerial-roboticsVoliro brings in $23M to accelerate inspection drone development - The Robot Report
Voliro, a Swiss aerial robotics company, has raised an additional $11 million in its Series A funding round, bringing the total to $23 million. This capital injection aims to accelerate the development and global deployment of Voliro’s autonomous aerial inspection robots, designed to modernize infrastructure maintenance, improve industrial safety, and address workforce shortages in inspection fields. The company’s flagship product, the Voliro T platform, features a patented tiltable-rotor design and interchangeable sensor payloads, enabling scalable, data-driven inspections of hard-to-reach industrial assets such as flare stacks, storage tanks, wind turbine blades, and transmission towers. Voliro’s technology targets aging infrastructure, where traditional inspection methods are costly, infrequent, and risky. By enabling faster, safer, and more frequent inspections—such as performing wind turbine lightning protection system checks up to five times faster—Voliro helps reduce downtime and inspection costs by up to 50%. The company has established a global footprint with over 40 customers in
robotdroneaerial-roboticsindustrial-inspectionenergy-transitionwind-turbine-maintenanceautomationElephant trunk drone arm bends, grabs, and works in tight spaces
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have developed the Aerial Elephant Trunk (AET), a flexible, shape-shifting robotic arm inspired by an elephant’s trunk, designed to enhance drone capabilities in complex manipulation tasks. Unlike traditional rigid drone arms with grippers, the AET uses a soft, continuum structure that can bend, twist, and wrap around objects of various sizes and shapes, enabling drones to operate effectively in tight spaces and awkward angles. This innovation addresses key limitations of existing aerial robots, such as weight constraints and limited range of motion, allowing drones to perform tasks that require both reach and finesse. The AET’s dexterity and adaptability make it particularly valuable for applications in disaster response, infrastructure maintenance, and inspections in hard-to-reach environments. It can navigate narrow pipelines, maneuver around obstacles, and handle delicate operations like clearing debris from collapsed buildings or repairing high-voltage lines and bridges. By expanding the functional roles of drones beyond observation to hands-on interaction, the AET represents a
roboticsdronesaerial-roboticsflexible-robotic-armsrobotic-manipulationdisaster-response-technologyinfrastructure-inspection