This glider can stay in the air indefinitely by acting like a bird
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - dystopian laughs, WNBA salaries, and more
By The Week US Published