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   SUPERb: Chinese researchers just designed and built a flying robot that looks   
   like a precursor to Matrix's laser-focused Sentinels   
      
   Date:   
   Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:49:00 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   Researchers in Hong Kong develop a high-speed aerial robot with advanced   
   obstacle avoidance capabilities   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   A team of researchers at the University of Hong Kong has designed and tested   
   an advanced aerial robot capable of navigating complex environments at high   
   speeds of up to 20 meters per second while maintaining precise control.    
      
   Named SUPER, the quadcopter drone uses cutting-edge LiDAR technology to    
   detect and avoid obstacles, even thin wires that have posed challenges for   
   traditional drones.    
      
   In research published on Science Robotics (via Techxplore ), the team noted   
   while SUPER has potential applications in search and rescue, its ability to   
   operate autonomously in unknown environments suggests it could also be used   
   for law enforcement and military reconnaissance.   
      
   The power of LiDAR for precision flight   
      
   Unlike conventional aerial robots that rely on cameras and sensors, SUPER    
   uses 3D light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to map its surroundings and   
   process spatial data in real time, allowing it to function in low-light   
   conditions.    
      
   With a detection range of up to 70 meters, the LiDAR system feeds data to an   
   onboard computer that continuously analyzes the environment.    
      
   This system enables SUPER to chart two distinct flight paths, one    
   prioritizing safety and another allowing for exploratory movement.    
      
   To demonstrate its capabilities, the research team tested SUPER against a   
   commercial drone, the DJI Mavic 3 .    
      
   While the DJI model avoided larger obstacles, it struggled to detect thin   
   wires of smaller diameters. In contrast, SUPER successfully avoided all   
   obstacles, including 2.5-mm thin wires, thanks to its high-resolution point   
   cloud processing.    
      
   The test result also reveals the drone glided through dense forests, tracking   
   moving targets without colliding with trees or branches.   
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/pro/superb-chinese-researchers-just-designed-and-bui   
   lt-a-flying-robot-that-looks-like-a-precursor-to-matrixs-laser-focused-sentine   
   ls   
      
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