A.I. controlled helicopter

Stanford scientists gloat over their incredible accomplishment.

(Credit: Rueters)

According to a Reuter’s story, on Monday a four-foot-long, helicopter, equipped with an artificial intelligence system developed by computer scientists at Stanford University flew over the campus. The helicopter had taught itself to fly by watching the aerobatics of a radio-controlled helicopter flown by a human. Also on Monday, I got my Warlock to level 66 inWorld of Warcraft. Yeah, I think I need to reevaluate my life’s priorities.

The self-controlled mini-chopper performed flips, rolls, pirouettes, stall-turns, knife-edges, and an inverted hover over a field. According to Adam Coates, a PhD student who worked on the project, the machines can fly maneuvers at the edge of what real helicopters are capable of.

Each helicopter costs about $4000 to build. The research group responsible has been contacted by a number of companies that are hoping to use the A.I. for surveillance and mapping applications. Other scientists are seeing the potential for the mini-choppers to investigate wildfires and land mines.

Check out a couple of videos here.

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