In Russia, they created a drone-"hive" that launches small UAVs: why they are needed (video)

The autonomous platform is equipped with artificial intelligence and starting platforms for drones that perform the role of working "bees". At Skolkovsky Institute of Science and Technology, Dmitry Teserukkov and his colleagues came up with a hybrid robotic platform that launches small drones from his "base", Newscientist reports. A hybrid drone called Morphalander can move intersecting and even fly, playing the role of a kind of aircraft carrier for their little drones.

According to Russian scientists, their morpholander is intended for peaceful purposes - will help rescuers or carry out inspection at large industrial enterprises. For example, a large carrier drone can be fixed on the transmission line and release several small drones into the sky to inspect the emergency area. All operations are managed by a special algorithm based on artificial intelligence.

However, due to the weight restriction, the maternal drone has a battery capable of maintaining flight for only 12 minutes. But it can land and release two tiny drones, each of which weighs 27 g and has a flight duration of about 30 minutes. The prototype has only two boarding platforms, each with a diameter of 20 cm. But the team claims that in future models they will equip the morpholander platforms, which will fit from a dozen of small UAVs.

And researchers want to improve the platform so that several Morpholander can interact and land at one point. Dmitry Tsecerukkov compares his Morpholander platform with a mobile hive, and small drones with working bees that can perform many small tasks. This approach allows you to increase the total flight time compared to what one large drone can do. "I would say that we can extend the life of unmanned rescue operations three times or even more," says Dmitry.