Drones

MIT researchers describe an autonomous system for a fleet of drones to collaboratively search under dense forest canopies using only onboard computation and wireless communication — no GPS required.

Fleets of drones could aid searches for lost hikers

System allows drones to cooperatively explore terrain under thick forest canopies where GPS signals are unreliable.

November 1, 2018

Felipe Varon says he hopes his vehicle can have an impact in developing countries where traffic and congestion are a problem, or where there’s a lack of transportation infrastructure.

One man’s flying car dream is taking off, thanks to MIT

Felipe Varon uses knowledge gained from MIT Professional Education to improve his invention; hopes cars might service areas with low access to food and supplies.

September 26, 2018

Matthias Winkenbach, research associate in the Center for Transportation and Logistics and director of the Megacities Logistics Lab, is helping companies answer questions like how many satellite facilities are needed, where they should be located, and what their function should be to optimize delivery systems.

E-commerce spurs innovation in last-mile logistics

As delivery logistics become more challenging with expanding e-commerce, planners such as Matthias Winkenbach are offering solutions.

September 4, 2018

MIT Media Lab researchers have designed a system that allows underwater and airborne sensors to directly share data. An underwater transmitter directs a sonar signal to the water’s surface, causing tiny vibrations that correspond to the 1s and 0s transmitted. Above the surface, a highly sensitive receiver reads these minute disturbances and decodes the sonar signal.

Wireless communication breaks through water-air barrier

In a novel system developed by MIT researchers, underwater sonar signals cause vibrations that can be decoded by an airborne receiver.

August 22, 2018

A new computer chip, smaller than a U.S. dime and shown here with a quarter for scale, helps miniature drones navigate in flight.

Chip upgrade helps miniature drones navigate

Low-power design will allow devices as small as a honeybee to determine their location while flying.

June 20, 2018

A new algorithm developed by MIT researchers helps keep data fresh within a simple communication system, such as multiple drones reporting to a single control tower.

Keeping data fresh for wireless networks

Algorithm provides networks with the most current information available while avoiding data congestion.

June 4, 2018

An albatross glider, designed by MIT engineers, skims the Charles River.

Albatross robot takes flight

Autonomous glider can fly like an albatross, cruise like a sailboat.

May 18, 2018

MIT engineers have developed a new virtual-reality training system for drones that enables a vehicle to “see” a rich, virtual environment while flying in an empty physical space.

Researchers develop virtual-reality testing ground for drones

With new system, drones navigate through an empty room, avoiding crashes while “seeing” a virtual world.

May 17, 2018

“MIT just changed the ways in which I think about the world in a very revolutionary way,” says senior Mehmet Efe Akengin.

Former Math Olympiad medalist embraces social entrepreneurship

MIT senior Mehmet Efe Akengin aims to innovate for the greater good.

March 25, 2018

Skydio, a San Francisco-based startup founded by three MIT alumni, is commercializing an autonomous video-capturing drone — dubbed by some as the “selfie drone” — that tracks and films a subject, while freely navigating any environment.

The autonomous “selfie drone”

Alumni’s video-capturing drone tracks moving subjects while freely navigating any environment.

March 13, 2018

Lightning laboratory test on model aircraft.

Evading in-flight lightning strikes

MIT study shows electrically charging planes would reduce their risk of being struck by lightning.

March 8, 2018

In addition to fieldwork, TREX students explored local landmarks, including the Kilauea Iki Crater.

In fieldwork program, students take the lead

TREX program from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering takes students to Hawaii to conduct environmental research.

February 12, 2018

CSAIL's NanoMap system allows drones to fly in congested environments such as forests.

Programming drones to fly in the face of uncertainty

CSAIL's NanoMap system enables drones to avoid obstacles while flying at 20 miles per hour, by more deeply integrating sensing and control.

February 12, 2018

The principal researchers of MIT Lincoln Laboratory's 10 finalists for R&D 100 Awards are seen here with Lincoln Laboratory Director Eric Evans (far left). The principal researchers for the six winning technologies display their award plaques.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory earns six R&D 100 Awards for 2017

Technologies named among the year's most significant innovations address health care, radar performance, aircraft collision avoidance, and 24-hour wide-area surveillance.

December 8, 2017

Engineers at MIT have developed a new model to simulate dynamic soaring, and have used it to identify the optimal flight pattern that an albatross should take in order to harvest the most wind and energy. They found that as an albatross banks or turns, it should do so in shallow arcs, keeping almost to a straight, forward trajectory.

Engineers identify key to albatross’ marathon flight

Flying in shallow arcs helps birds stay aloft with less effort.

October 10, 2017

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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