Engineers at the California Institute of Technology have developed an algorithm that uses a single drone to redirect a flock of birds away from an airport. Associate Professor and Jet Propulsion Laboratory Research Scientist, Soon-Jo Chung, created the algorithm with his colleagues in response to the “Miracle on the Hudson” incident. In 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 was forced to ditch in the Hudson River after flying into a flock of Canada Geese shortly after takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
Caltech Engineers Develop Algorithm to Repel Birds Using Drones
Key Takeaways:
- Caltech engineers have developed an algorithm that enables a single drone to safely redirect bird flocks away from airports, inspired by incidents like the "Miracle on the Hudson."
- The algorithm works by strategically positioning the drone to initiate a ripple effect through the flock, causing the birds to collectively change direction without panicking or scattering.
- Successfully tested in Korea, the algorithm allowed one drone to effectively control dozens of birds, with future plans to develop multi-drone systems for managing multiple flocks.
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