Command a drone thanks to muscle movements: it can be done

MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) has just released a video about their latest experiment: a system that translates muscle signals into input to control devices . Their ultimate goal is to be able, through muscle movements, to have complete and precise control in commanding a drone, using only hand and arm gestures to guide it through a series of rings.

Possible uses: why command a drone with muscle movements?

The developments of this experiment could be impressive, not only because they are using muscle biofeedback to control a drone (instead of recognizing human gestures through optical devices), but also for the possible areas in which this technology could be used.

The team of researchers examined several possible applications, including its use in robotics for industrial applications .

The piloting of drones is another area that could have great advantages in terms of use in the real world, especially once you start imagining entire flocks of these taking flight with a pilot who can control them remotely and precisely. via VR. It could be a great way to survey areas that are difficult to access , such as remote inspections of offshore platforms.

The ultimate goal

The ultimate goal of the research team is to achieve a seamless human / machine interaction . The idea is to be able to drive a robot with the same naturalness and fluidity that we demonstrate in moving our body parts to interact and manipulate the environment.

Thinking and doing essentially occur in parallel when we interact with our "analog" environment, but when we act through extra-coporeal extensions (not only machines, but also non-electronic tools), something is often lost in the "translation" of the movements of the our body in those necessary to use the tool at its best.

"Cobotics" (the industry that focuses on building robots that can work in close collaboration with humans) would greatly benefit from those advances that make the interaction between people and robotic equipment more natural, instinctive and, ultimately safe. MIT research in this area could lead to future industrial robotics products that require less training and programming to be used by workers.

By the way, have you seen this amazing drone that changes shape during flight ?

The article Command a drone thanks to muscle movements: it can be done comes from Tech CuE .