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Chinese algorithm beats veteran human controller in FPV drone race

Chinese algorithm beats veteran human controller in FPV drone race

Chinese team has developed a unique algorithm that gives first-person-view (FPV) drones the ability to perform autonomous aerobatic manoeuvres, unlocking their full potential to outperform humans in intense flight missions.
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The breakthrough was published on April 16 in the peer-reviewed journal Science Robotics.
Aerobatic flight, as the name suggests, involves high-risk manoeuvres that require unstable postures – movements rarely executed in conventional flight operations for most
aircraft
However, in nature, aerial acrobatics are a vital skill for many species.
For instance, sparrowhawks and falcons can rapidly adjust speed and direction through vertical or inverted flight to hunt or avoid obstacles. Bats excel at mid-air flips and hanging upside down, while ravens perform complex aerobatics to attract their peers.
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'This biological wisdom – transforming 'high-risk manoeuvres' into 'high-survival rewards' – holds the key to redefining traditional drone flight paradigms,' said Gao Fei, an associate professor at Zhejiang University.
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