A group of engineers at MIT have developed a truly exceptional autonomous drone that is designed to stay in the air for up to five days at a time on a single talk of gasoline.
This particular autonomous drone started off as a solar-powered flight contraption, but solar functionality was soon replaced by gasoline once it became apparent that the 24-foot-wide drone would struggle to stay in the air for days at a time on solar power alone.
Constructed using lightweight kevlar and carbon fiber, this autonomous drone is large enough to carry communication tools onboard. This feature, coupled with the drone's incredible flight time, makes it an ideal device for disaster relief initiatives. What's more, it could also be used to help deliver Internet access to far-flung parts of the world.
What's Driving This Trend
- Durable Autonomous Drones
- New drone technology that can stay in the air for extended periods has disruptive potential for disaster relief efforts.
- Gas-powered Autonomous Drones
- The use of gasoline as a power source for autonomous drones presents opportunities for long-duration flights and remote communication.
- Drone-enabled Internet Access
- Using drones to deliver Internet access to remote areas could bridge the digital divide and create new opportunities for connectivity.
Who This Affects Most
- Aerospace
- The aerospace industry can explore the use of durable, gas-powered drones for various applications, such as surveillance and disaster response.
- Telecommunications
- Telecommunications companies can leverage gas-powered autonomous drones to extend connectivity to remote areas and improve communication networks.
- Disaster Relief
- The use of durable autonomous drones in disaster relief efforts can help facilitate communication, increase efficiency, and save lives.
