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Scientists developing bat-inspired tiny drones to save lives in dark, stormy conditions
Tiny drones inspired by bat echolocation enable autonomous swarm deployment for search and rescue in dark, smoky, or stormy conditions, aiding emergency workers worldwide.
- October 2025, WPI researchers tested a palm-sized drone prototype made from inexpensive materials for dark, smoky, or stormy search-and-rescue scenarios.
- Power outages after earthquakes or tsunamis often disrupt rescues at night, and current rescue drones mainly work in daylight, limiting emergency workers' effectiveness.
- Inspired by bats, the project uses small ultrasonic sensors, artificial intelligence for signal filtering, and 3D-printed shells to reduce propeller noise and interpret echoes.
- With NSF funding, researchers developed bat-inspired drones that show promise for night rescue missions, demonstrated by recent tests aiding in locating and rescuing in real-world scenarios.
- The team says the long-term goal is autonomous swarms that coordinate using behavioral models and deploy long-term systems, though they acknowledge sensing remains far from bats' abilities.
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How tiny drones inspired by bats could save lives in dark and stormy conditions (Business)
Don't be fooled by the fog machine, spooky lights and fake bats: the robotics lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute lab isn't hosting a Halloween party. Instead, it's a testing ground for tiny drones that can be deployed in search and rescue missions even in dark, smoky or stormy conditions. 'We al...
·Kelowna, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources94
Leaning Left15Leaning Right6Center67Last UpdatedBias Distribution76% Center
Bias Distribution
- 76% of the sources are Center
76% Center
L 17%
C 76%
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