SUPERb: Chinese researchers just designed and built a flying robot that looks like a precursor to Matrix’s laser-focused Sentinels
Posted by:
Emma Walker
University of Hong Kong researchers have developed an advanced aerial robot called SUPER, capable of high-speed navigation at 20 meters per second with precision control in complex environments. The quadcopter drone utilizes cutting-edge LiDAR technology to detect and avoid obstacles, even thin wires challenging for traditional drones. Published in Science Robotics via Techxplore, the research highlights SUPER’s autonomous operation potential in unfamiliar terrains for applications in search and rescue, as well as law enforcement and military reconnaissance purposes.
SUPER’s use of 3D LiDAR distinguishes it from conventional aerial robots, enabling real-time spatial mapping for effective operation in low-light conditions. With a 70-meter detection range, LiDAR feeds data to an onboard computer for continuous environment analysis, allowing SUPER to navigate safely and explore surroundings simultaneously. In a comparison test against the DJI Mavic 3 drone, SUPER outperformed by successfully avoiding all obstacles, including thin wires as small as 2.5mm in diameter, due to its high-resolution point cloud processing. The test also showcased SUPER smoothly maneuvering through dense forests, tracking moving targets without colliding with trees or branches.
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