Microsoft is copying the soaring skills of hawks and eagles to build a glider that can stay in the air indefinitely, said Andrew Liszewski at Gizmodo. The self-piloted aircraft uses artificial intelligence to spot thermals, the rising columns of warm air that birds of prey use to stay aloft "for extended periods with minimal effort." The experimental craft — a model sailplane with a 16.5-foot wingspan — gathers data like air temperature and wind direction, to find the air columns and predict where the next one will be, keeping itself airborne without a motor.
The sailplane does use a battery-powered motor to take off and steer, but eventually, solar cells on its wings "could provide all the power it needs." AI-piloted gliders that don't need to land could be used for scientific research or providing internet and cellular service in disaster zones.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
August 24 editorial cartoonsCartoons Sunday's political cartoons include Putin at Donald Trump's circus, gallons of whitewash, and a foldable cartoon
-
5 Post Office-approved cartoons about mail-in votingCartoons Artists take on reverse logic, Putin's election advice, and more
-
The battle of the weight-loss drugsTalking Point Can Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly regain their former stock market glory? A lot is riding on next year's pills
