Robot aérien Beerotor doté de capteurs de flux optiques

The Beerotor aerial robot, the first aircraft to operate without an accelerometer thanks to optical flow sensors. Inspired by the vision of insects, which analyse the movement of the surrounding landscape in order to fly, Beerotor has 24 photodiodes (or pixels) distributed over the top and bottom of its eye. These photodiodes enable it to measure optical flow, i.e. the movement of contrasts in the environment. This robot has also three feedback loops adjusting its altitude and speed and stabilising it in relation to the local slope, particularly on uneven terrain. Developed by biorobotics research scientists, this accelerometer-free and very light technology can for example be installed on small robots. Above all, Beerotor enables better understanding of how insects can stabilise their attitude without an accelerometer.