Because autonomous drones become more integral with logistics, crisis reaction and industrial applications, the challenge of navigation in the gPS dbated environments caused a technological breakthrough. While GPS remains the dominant method of outdoor navigation, it is ineffective in locations such as warehouses, underground objects, dense urban landscapes and disaster zones. Recent industry research and innovations, including a QDATA case study on autonomous drone navigation without GPS, transform the way the drones work without relying on satellite signals.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) moving without GPS must rely on alternative location techniques, such as visual uncomfortable, perception based on lidar and fusion of the sensor. Thanks to the integration of data from cameras, inertia of measuring units (IMI), barometers and radar systems, drones can build environmental models in real time, which enable stable and accurate movement.
But while computer systems and lidar systems were used for navigation indoors, they fight in conditions of poor light or spaces with repetitive features. Solving these restrictions, The team in MIT was introduced by MiflyA system that uses radio frequency waves (RF) and backward distracted signals to ensure an exact location with minimal hardware requirements.
Mifly operates using a single low -power marker, which reflects the magic wave signals sent by the drone radar. Unlike traditional systems that require many markers or complex infrastructure, Mifly's approach is profitable and easier to implement. The drone detects reflections from the marker, filtering the environmental noise using the modulation technique, which assigns unique frequencies to distinguish between the tag's response and other reflections.
To ensure precise positioning, scientists installed two radars on the drone – one level and one vertical. Each radar sends signals with clear polarization, allowing the tag to separate them and reflect accordingly. This double absorption method helps the drone determine its exact spatial location, even in limited spaces with limited visual references. Data from these radars are then connected to the IMU aboard the drone, which follows acceleration, height and orientation. This integration allows the drone to estimate full trajectory in six degrees of freedom, including rotation, movement and tilt regulation.
During intensive flight tests in various internal environments, such as Dim Tunnele, Mifly showed an impressive accuracy of location less than seven centimeters. Even when the marker was partially darkened, the system still provides reliable results within a six -meter range. The research team believes that this distance can be further extended by increased radar and antenna projects.
In addition to storage automation, this technology has wide applications, including relief in the case of disasters, dangerous environmental controls and military operations. Drones equipped with GPS navigation can help in search and save missions, move with curled buildings or explore underground constructions without an external signal requirement. In addition, the ability to maintain a stable flight in GPS conditions makes drones ideal for communication relays in distant or difficult areas.
The next phase of development consists in integrating the Mifly called the autonomous navigation system, enabling drones independently flight path charts using a RF -based location. Because industries are increasingly based on critical drones, innovations such as Mifly will be of key importance to ensuring liquid and efficient operations, even in the most difficult environments.
Learn more technical details about this navigation approach UAVS in Paper about Mifly.
