# Fully Autonomous Quadcopters Quadcopter Uses In-built Camera to Map Out Own Surroundings By Akihiko Tse | Published 2013-08-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fully-autonomous-quadcopter References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/smartphone-quadcopter/28756/) & [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/autonomous-quadcopter-piloted-smartphone.html) Just when we thought smartphone cameras were already well-equipped for stunning landscape shots and indulgent selfies, scientists have found a way for a camera to map its own surroundings in the form of a fully autonomous quadcopter. Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology installed a regular smartphone camera into a quadcopter – so called because of its four rotors – that enables it to fly around in a given environment. This is done by tracking a map of squares with QR-like codes laid out on the ground, all without any human control. Costing less than a thousand euros to make, the quadcopter's smartphone camera picks up on visual inputs to the processor, while a custom app provides the code for navigation and control after it has generated a map of its surroundings. The model is entirely reliant on [visual data](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/isteady-m7) and is built specifically for small, indoor spaces. The team have further plans for the quadcopter to eventually be able to identify objects such as tables and chairs in a room and create a map by using a Kinect-style depth sensor. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.8/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Fully Autonomous Quadcopters:** The development of autonomous quadcopters based on visual data is poised to disrupt the aerial photography and surveillance industries. - **QR Code-based Mapping Technology:** QR-code based mapping technology can revolutionize the way objects are located and laid out in indoor spaces and can potentially transform industries such as facility management, warehousing, and logistics. - **Kinect-style Depth Sensor:** The integration of Kinect-style depth sensors with autonomous quadcopters has the potential to create 3D models of environments, fuel virtual reality applications, and disrupt industries such as construction, architecture, and gaming. ### Who This Affects Most - **Aerial Photography and Surveillance:** Fully autonomous quadcopters can be deployed for aerial photography and surveillance applications in indoor spaces, offering new possibilities for cost-effective and efficient operations. - **Facility Management and Warehousing:** QR code-based mapping technology can help facility managers and warehouse operators to efficiently locate assets and adjust the layout of indoor spaces in real-time, disrupting traditional approaches to space management. - **Construction, Architecture, and Gaming:** The integration of Kinect-style depth sensors with autonomous quadcopters can create new opportunities for 3D modeling, virtual reality, and gaming applications, transforming industries such as construction, architecture, and gaming. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Carbon-Caged Mapping Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mapping-drone.md) - [Self-Stabilizing Photography Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hoverair-x1-selfflying-camera.md) - [AI-Powered Hobby Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skydio-2.md) - [Hovering Selfie Drone Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/camera-x1.md) - [Modular Self-Flying Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hoverair-x1-pro.md) - [Mesh Networking Support Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evo-max-4t.md) - [Waterproof Self-Flying Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hoverair-aqua-drone.md) - [Incline-Friendly Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modified-drone.md) - [Water-Mapping Autonomous Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-vessel.md)