Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed Mifly, a new technology that enables drones to navigate in closed rooms without GPS. This breakthrough has the potential to simplify navigation in warehouses, tunnels, and other locations with limited lighting, as reported by MIT News.
In contrast to existing technologies that rely on multiple sensors and cameras, Mifly utilizes just one compact radio frequency tag. This tag acts as a passive reflector, capturing and bouncing back millimeter waves emitted by the drone. These waves have the ability to penetrate materials like plastic and cardboard, making them effective even in complete darkness.
A distinguishing feature of Mifly is its capability to differentiate signals from the surroundings. By reflecting waves at different frequencies than the environment, the drone can isolate necessary data from unwanted interference. This enhances navigation accuracy while minimizing external disruptions.
Tests conducted in MIT laboratories, underground tunnels, and enclosed spaces have demonstrated Mifly’s ability to pinpoint location with an accuracy of up to 7 centimeters. This level of precision makes it well-suited for commercial applications.
Addressing challenges associated with millimeter wave technology, the developers of Mifly have implemented modulation techniques to combat unwanted reflections from walls and noise. By adjusting the frequency of reflected signals, the tag assists the drone in filtering out distractions.
Mifly presents new opportunities for warehouse automation, enabling drones to autonomously transport goods without the need for complex infrastructure or constant human supervision. Moreover, this technology can be valuable in scenarios where traditional navigation methods are impractical, such as search and rescue operations.
Future plans for Mifly include enhancements to increase range and interference resistance, paving the way for widespread commercial utilization of the system.