Robot development has evolved a great deal in the recent few years, helping improve performance in all fields of interest, and now, a group of academics are developing flying quadcopter (autonomous flying helicopter-style robots equipped with satellite navigation) robots that can be used to form a self-assembling ad hoc wireless network in the event of disaster.

Researchers at Germany's Ilmenau University of Technology, led by Professor Andreas Mitschele, claim that the Wi-Fi flying robots could be used in the event of disasters, when standard infrastructure is destroyed.

 

Built with off-the-shelf parts (including VIA's Pico-ITX hardware and a GPS unit) the robots are designed to provide both mobile phone and Wi-Fi access, and they can do it far more quickly than a technician on the ground might be able to. What the robots do is create a network of radios that provide both mobile phone and standard wireless network access that allow people in distress to call for help.

 

There are limitations, though. "The big problem is the batteries," explained Professor Mitschele-Thiel. "The quadcopter comes in a kit costing only 300 Euro, but the batteries are very expensive (around 1,000 Euro) and last only about 20 minutes."

 

However, that 20 minutes is for flight time, giving the robots enough duration to position themselves and land on "high ground or a building somewhere," and provide network coverage for several hours. At this point, it is clear that the project is far from being finished, as researchers must find a way to improve the quadcopters' performance and battery life, while also reducing the costs.

 

The project is currently looking for PhD students to continue research on the radio techniques involved. There is no information available on when this system might become reality. Just sit back and wait for further details.

 
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