The Distributed Flight Array

A short video which introduces the Distributed Flight Array (DFA) which is being developed at ETH Zurich. This multi-rotor vehicle consists of autonomous single-rotor modules that are able to drive, dock with its peers, and fly in a coordinated fashion. These modules are organized as distributed computational units with minimal sensory input. Experimental demonstrations in docking, driving, and flying have proven its feasibility as a research platform for investigating techniques in distributed estimation and control. The work shown here was completed by the 2008/9 AYIM class (www.andyetitmoves.org/). For more information, visit: www.idsc.ethz.ch/Research_DAnd....
Researchers:
Raymond Oung and Raffaello D'Andrea
Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control (IDSC), ETH Zurich, Switzerland -- www.idsc.ethz.ch
Location:
ETH Zurich
Acknowledgments:
This research was funded in part by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

[@Hekateras]

I can almost taste the sweet days of the sci-fi future when people will be looking back on these vids with the same bewildered nostalgia we get when looking at room-sized light bulb computers...

[@linarodriguez4624]

Excelente invento felicidades!! estos serán los próximos transporte urbanos y las famosas alfombras mágicas

[@raymondoung]

@GrafArsch It's a research and teaching tool for distributed estimation and control.

[@raymondoung]

@nacoran Since the chassis to wheel clearance is very small, these modules only dock on relatively flat surfaces. However, the surface texture can be rough, like sandpaper.

[@NicleT]

@raymondoung Haarg! I was completely wrong.
Thank you so much! I'll look for this "Humoresque" right away.

[@raymondoung]

@dodecahedroification Since each of the modules produce equivalent amounts of thrust and torque, you do need at least 4 so that it doesn't uncontrollably yaw. In this particular arrangement of modules, two rotors are rotating clockwise and the other two are rotating counter-clockwise -- this cancels out the aerodynamic torques in trimmed flight.

[@stillgotit]

hey cous, how dorky yet so cool

[@SvenOkonomi]

That thing slipping away and getting stuck to the ceiling like some lost balloon made me laugh. :p Cool project!

[@raymondoung]

@rikoginete They can certainly break apart in flight, but they can't dock and undock in mid-flight. In any case, there's were only four modules (at least 4 is needed for stable flight), so we didn't have enough modules at the time to even consider the possibility of docking/undocking in mid-flight.

[@raymondoung]

@crisanilucian The piece is called 'Humoresque' by Dvorak.

[@raymondoung]

@flowerpt The modules don't have variable vectored thrust. But like a quadrocopter, it can be made to move around by varying the thrusts on each module. However, there's currently no on-board sensor to detect where its going.

[@raymondoung]

Here, each motor is rated at 50W and we operate at around 70% duty-cycle.

[@ChristopherSchillerPhoto]

Cool. First thing I thought about was an emergency rescue system for aircraft...

[@vovo4kaX]

amazing!!!

[@raymondoung]

@hfarnsworth100 The speed of the propellers can be controlled. However the first revision (what you see in the video) can't sense its altitude very well.

[@mkaatr]

So they can break down and assemble themselves again!!!
Kinda like "Liquid metal" from the second terminator movie .

[@deadfrd]

Vertical stacking might be useful for increased lift?

[@nacoran]

@raymondoung How about docking on the ground on a rougher surface?

[@hfarnsworth100]

can you control the speed of propellers/altitude?

[@flowerpt]

Nice work. Can they coordinate their thrust vectors yet to develop directional flight?

[@NicleT]

Very impressive !
Ho! Can you tell me what is that tune please? It is Chopin isn't? But what's the name of the piece?
Many thanks.

[@hfarnsworth100]

very cool! what's the music?

[@Afurry15]

hey what's the name of this song.

[@EnricoLorenzoni599]

@dodecahedroification tricopters exists but one motor needs a servo to change thrust direction. look for "tricopter" on youtube

[@DelSolstice]

Can your next project be to make robots that can replicate both themselves and other autonomous machines from spare parts and raw materials? I think if you combined that with your flying honeycomb sentinel deathbots you'd be really on to something here.

[@crisanilucian]

sweet! self-assembling flying robots, I'd love to see that.
@raymondoung: I used to play that song when I was a kid. Would really love to re-learn it again. What's the name of it, or at least an author?

[@raymondoung]

@Levsha100 I think you mean Michael Crichton.

[@erbilshaban3959]

@ajrevenge14 He's answered that twice now. Check the uploader's comments before commenting.

[@mojo75]

pretty cool, but might want to wait until its less clumsy for a demo.

[@raymondoung]

@NicleT Not Chopin. 'Humoresque' by Dvorak.

[@GeronL1]

I can see military potential in its future already

[@ualue]

I for one welcome our new mini robot swarm overlords.

[@raymondoung]

@hfarnsworth100 'Humoresque' by Dvorak.

[@vicentox1999]

the music is something to hate.

[@artman40]

I bet someone asks for a cheap thumbs up by asking to thumb up when being redirected here from some website.

[@CaptWildBillKelso]

SKYNET is coming.

[@helen0618]

群聚浮島或飛行器!

[@reaper22066]

@raymondoung *cough*takeovertheworld *cough*