These robots seem to be using external sensors (cameras mounted in the room, not just on the robot's body).
Of course, the achievement of the research group is impressive, but for those excited about the possibilities to use such robots right now: it's still a long way till relying just on internal sensors and using such robots in arbitrary environment.
I can imagine having them used as killer bee guards for indoor use - even if they're helpless outdoors. Well to not only think of weapons usage - they could be used for lots of tasks indoors (painting walls/ceilings for instance :D).
Preventing insects that can carry harmful diseases from entering sterile environments - tropical hospitals could be designed with a long entry hallway swarming with little bots designed to catch flies and mosquitos.
There is still tremendous value in the development of the control algorithms. The external optical sensors provide lightning fast, precise 3-dimensional location information. Pair these algorithms with a self-contained position-awareness system, and you could adapt the algorithms for use in a free-flying device. The development of the self-contained position-awareness system is a large project in itself.
The Wii remote, Sony six-axis controller, and iPhone use rudimentary forms of this type of position-awareness. As these sensors and technology develop, it's conceivable that future generations will be self contained.
Comments
These robots seem to be using external sensors (cameras mounted in the room, not just on the robot's body).
Of course, the achievement of the research group is impressive, but for those excited about the possibilities to use such robots right now: it's still a long way till relying just on internal sensors and using such robots in arbitrary environment.
You don't need an arbitrary environment.
I can imagine having them used as killer bee guards for indoor use - even if they're helpless outdoors. Well to not only think of weapons usage - they could be used for lots of tasks indoors (painting walls/ceilings for instance :D).
Catching litter before it hits the floor!
Shooing cats off the table.
Preventing insects that can carry harmful diseases from entering sterile environments - tropical hospitals could be designed with a long entry hallway swarming with little bots designed to catch flies and mosquitos.
It might be more cost effective to have the robots install mosquito netting.
It's 2011. I want some future, damnit!
Regarding mosquitoes - I'd propose that we mount anti mosquito lazers on the copterz.
There is still tremendous value in the development of the control algorithms. The external optical sensors provide lightning fast, precise 3-dimensional location information. Pair these algorithms with a self-contained position-awareness system, and you could adapt the algorithms for use in a free-flying device. The development of the self-contained position-awareness system is a large project in itself.
The Wii remote, Sony six-axis controller, and iPhone use rudimentary forms of this type of position-awareness. As these sensors and technology develop, it's conceivable that future generations will be self contained.