The general idea of distributed robotics (or multirobot systems) is that teams of robots, deployed to achieve a common goal, can outperform individual robots in terms of e ciency and quality and, in some cases, can perform tasks that a single robot cannot. Consider, for example, Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs), each of which has an extremely small payload capacity. Though individual MAVs may have lim...

Recent advances in state estimation, planning, mapping, and control algorithms combined with ever-increasing computational power available onboard micro air vehicles have enabled a number of researchers to demonstrate advanced autonomous capabilities in GPS-denied environments. Much of this work has focused around the use of laser range-finder sensors, however the use of a 2D sensor in a 3D env...

Most birds and many insects use periodic wing motion to propel themselves and maneuver. Most conventional flying machines are propelled by rotating machinery, achieve lift through rotating or fixed wings, and are controlled through the production of steady aerodynamic forces produced by rotors or movable wings. Many of the first powered flapping-wing micro air vehicles (MAVs) effectively replac...

The term Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) is used for a new type of remotely controlled, semi-autonomous or autonomous aircraft that is significantly smaller than conventional aircrafts. To apply Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) inertial sensors for the Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) of Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) is an extremely challenging area. The major components of the control system ...

Micro air vehicles have emerged as a popular option for diverse robotic and teleoperated applications in both open terrain and urban environments because of their inherent stealth and portability. To perform many of the tasks envisioned for micro air vehicles, agility is essential. To date, research efforts to improve agility have focused primarily on constructing complex controllers to enable ...

This paper summarizes ongoing work concerning micro-rotorcraft (MRC) – i.e., rotary-wing micro air vehicles (MAV) – research and development. Technology trends involving microelectronic miniaturization, vehicle autonomy systems, electric propulsion and power electronics are contributing to an ongoing revolution in MAV and MRC aerial vehicle concepts and applications. New vehicle configurations ...