In his talk, Raffaello D’Andrea showcases the cutting-edge advancements in autonomous flying machines, demonstrating their potential to revolutionize various industries. Initially a hobbyist pursuit, drone technology has evolved into a burgeoning field with applications ranging from package delivery to environmental monitoring.D’Andrea highlights several key innovations in drone technology. One notable achievement is a fleet of drones that autonomously built a six-meter-tall tower from 1,500 bricks, showcasing their capability for complex tasks and interaction with physical environments. Another advancement involves tethered drones that achieve high speeds and perform intricate maneuvers.The talk also introduces new projects, including drones equipped with onboard sensors and computation for autonomous navigation without external cameras. This technology enables drones to execute sophisticated tasks with high precision. D’Andrea discusses the “tail-sitter” aircraft, which combines the efficiency of fixed-wing flight with the versatility of hovering, though it faces challenges such as sensitivity to wind disturbances.A significant innovation is the monospinner, a mechanically simple drone with only one moving part—a propeller—that demonstrates stable flight with minimal components. In contrast, the omnicopter, with eight propellers, offers extraordinary maneuverability and can move independently of its orientation.D’Andrea concludes by exploring synthetic swarms of micro quadcopters, which, thanks to advanced localization and control algorithms, can perform complex, coordinated aerial displays. These advancements highlight the vast potential for future applications and underscore the importance of innovation in shaping the future of flying machines.
