Skip to content

December 16, 2013

Lightweight Drone Able to Fly with Complete Autonomy

This drone, which weighs just 20 grams, can avoid obstacles without human guidance.

Sign up for the Smarter Faster newsletter

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Dutch engineers from the Delft University of Technology have developed an autonomous drone called the DelFly Explorer that is able to fly with complete autonomy. That means the drone, which weighs just 20 grams, can avoid obstacles without human guidance.

Watch the video here:

Robot dragonfly DelFly Explorer flies autonomously

Sign up for the Smarter Faster newsletter

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Related

Collage of geopolitical symbols, featuring a close-up of a man's bald head, China's flag, a globe highlighting Taiwan, and circuit patterns.

Why the USSR and China fell behind the US in the Chip Cold War

Both nations made missteps, but China still has a chance to make up lost ground.

Person examining a petri dish with tweezers, holding small colored objects, against a dark background.

Are microplastics really destroying our health?

They’re in our brains, hearts, and blood — but what are they doing to us?

Collage showcasing a stratospheric balloon soaring over Earth and a close-up of fingers, with "The Nightcrawler" emblazoned at the top, capturing the spirit of a creative renaissance.

How AI is ushering in a creative renaissance

Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.

Two colorful cells with purple nuclei, green cell edges, and radiating filament structures against a black background.

When muscles work out, they help neurons to grow

The findings suggest that biochemical and physical effects of exercise could help heal nerves.

Two people viewed from behind against a blue sky, one wearing a pink top and the other an orange top, share a moment of quiet solace as the person in pink rests their head on the other's shoulder. It’s a serene scene that hints at healing and support after trauma.

3 emotional intelligence tips for helping a friend in a rough patch

Listen, set boundaries, and point them where to go.

Up Next

China Does the Moonwalk

The lunar landing represents a significant milestone for China’s space program. China sent its first astronaut to space in 2003.