A robot that learns to fly birds
US experts have created a bird-like robot glider that will be able to uncover many secrets of flying birds using artificial intelligence.
Experts at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a glider equipped with a state-of-the-art computer to study the amazing ability of birds to fly long distances without moving. During the flight, the glider will adapt itself to changes in wind and altitude and will try to learn to fly on its own.
Its wingspan is two meters long and it can fly continuously for 15 hours. What's special about it is that it finds heat in the air with its thermometer. The cycle of these hot winds is called thermal, and birds flying at high altitudes use it to fly in the air for long periods of time without moving their wings or hovering in circles.
Thanks to its special algorithm, the glider keeps itself organized from moment to moment and, like a bird, keeps spinning with low force through thermal. Birds, due to their special abilities, find thermal waves of hot air during thousands of kilometers of flight and move there without moving their arms. During this time they relax and regain their energy. In this way, some birds fly thousands of kilometers continuously.
Experts believe that the research of this glider will help a lot in the flight, migration, and protection of the birds themselves.
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