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Do it yourself

US engineers develop ‘self taught’ helicopters.

Engineers working at Stanford University have developed a system of artificial intelligence that allows robotic helicopters to ‘self learn’ by watching other units.
 
The helicopters, which can now perform a complete airshow of stunts, demonstrate the technique of ‘apprentice learning’ in which robots learn by observing an expert in action.
 
Using onboard – as well as on the ground – instrumentation – the helicopters can monitor their position in several dimensions and then make quick calculations about speed, height and direction.
 
"I think the range of manoeuvres they can do is by far the largest," commented Eric Feron, a Georgia Tech aeronautics and astronautics professor. "But what's more impressive is the technology that underlies this work. In a way, the machine teaches itself how to do this by watching an expert pilot fly. This is amazing," he concluded.
 
The developers see potential for the helicopters for use in war-torn areas and in disaster situations, such as wildfires.  

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