muFly

Autonomous micro flying robots combine a large variety of technological
challenges and are therefore an excellent showcase for leading edge
micro/nano technologies and their integration with information technology
towards a fully operational intelligent micro-system. This project proposes,
therefore, the development and implementation of the first fully autonomous
micro helicopter comparable in size
and weight to a small bird. The key challenges of the project include
innovative concepts for power sources, sensors, actuators, navigation and
helicopter design and their integration into a very compact system. The
envisaged fully autonomous micro-helicopter will weight less than 30g and
measure only 10cm in diameter. The project shall develop and demonstrate
innovative approaches and technologies in:

(1) system level design and optimization of autonomous micro aerial

vehicles,

(2) multifunctional use of components (integration of camera and distance

sensor, batteries doubling as structural elements, or a propeller used for
gyroscopic stabilization),

(3) design of "smart" miniature inertial sensors and omnidirectional vision
sensors with polar pixel arrangement,

(4) miniaturized fuel-cells,

(5) miniaturized piezoelectric actuators with enhanced power to weight
ratios, and

(6) control and navigation concepts that can cope with limited sensor and
processing performance. The final system is

expected to find applications in surveillance of buildings and large indoor
areas that are difficult to access on wheels or legs, rescue missions in
buildings after natural disasters or terror attacks, surveillance of
dangerous areas, chemical and nuclear plants or law enforcement in public
areas. The resulting micro-helicopter will represent the first demonstration
of a fully autonomous indoor flying robot of its size and its successful
realization will be a landmark achievement in integrated micro/nano
technology and micro aerial vehicles.