Big step towards tiny autonomous drones

Scientists have developed a theory that can explain how flying insects determine the gravity direction without using accelerometers. It also forms a substantial step in the creation of tiny, autonomous drones. Scientists have discovered a novel manner for flying drones and insects to estimate the gravity direction. Whereas drones typically use accelerometers to this end, the way in which flying insects do this has until now been shrouded in mystery, since they lack a specific sense for acceleration. In an article published in Nature, scientists from TU Delft and Aix Marseille Université / CNRS in France have shown that drones can estimate the gravity direction by combining visual motion sensing with a model of how they move.