🚁 PhD students retrofit helicopters so they can fly autonomously

Plus: New ultrasound sticker can check your internal organs for disease                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 February 12, 2024 | [Read Online]( Ph.D. students in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics are transforming conventional helicopters into autonomous flights. Flying small private helicopters carries more risk than one might think. Despite the high safety standards of commercial passenger planes, small aircraft, especially those engaged in activities like crop dusting, firefighting, and medical evacuations, experience annual fatalities. Through their startup, Rotor Technologies, these students propose the solution of outfitting existing helicopters with a comprehensive set of sensors and software to automate some of the riskiest flights. To find out more about how this tech works, check out today's [Must Read](. 🚨 Engineer Pros is where engineers get their weekly dose of news, career updates, and insider knowledge. For the latest in engineering delivered every Tuesday, [click here to subscribe now]([.]( 🔥 Today’s hot jobs as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: - [Software Engineer in Test]( - [Embedded Software Engineer]( - [Database Engineer II]( Good morning. I’m Sade, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it! Reading time: 5 minutes Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe ✉](  VIDEO OF THE DAY Geely's Radar RD6: China's electric truck rivaling Tesla's Cybertruck Geely launches the Radar RD6, set to match Tesla Cybertruck's performance with heavy loads. IE+ SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest In Science And Engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [Subscribe]( HOT TOPICS - 🪖[Â]([Air Force's Grey Wolf deployment on the horizon in spite of looming concerns]( - 🧑🏻‍🔬 [Tokyo scientists create nanoscrolls for next-gen tech]( - 🪁 [Minesto's first megawatt-scale tidal kite powerplant begins production]( MUST READ  🚁 [MIT PhD students transform aviation with self-flying helicopters]( Envision a safer sky—a new era in aviation marked by autonomous helicopters. This vision may be closer than you think, thanks to Rotor Technologies, a startup founded by MIT PhD students. Rotor's autonomous helicopters, converted from decades-old, reliable models, surpass conventional battery-powered drones. Notably, they boast superior speed, extended flight durations, and increased payload capacity. [Read more >]( [INNOVATION]( 🫀 [MIT's new ultrasound sticker can check your internal organs for disease]( A new stamp-sized ultrasound sticker developed by MIT can help monitor organ stiffness and detect diseases and tumor progression. It works by sending sound waves through the skin and body, which then reflect off internal organs before returning to the sticker. Monitoring changes in rigidity could lead to early diagnosis of internal organ failure. [Read more >]( [CULTURE]( 👀[Â]([Apple's Vision Pro could be mainstream, but maybe after four generations]( Apple is known for its "One More Thing" moments, unveiling a new product to revolutionize the industry. The Apple Vision Pro, the company's first augmented reality headset, was supposed to be one of those products. But according to a recent report, it might take Apple a few more years and a few more versions to achieve its vision. [Read more >]( PODCAST [🆕 New podcast The future of space exploration and ethics with Erika Nesvold]( Question of the day Would you be willing to ride in an autonomous helicopter like Rotor's or similar, believing it to be a safer mode of transport? [Absolutely! I would love to fly in an autonomous helicopter; I believe it's safer.]( [Maybe, I'm open to the idea, but the tech needs more time to develop.]( [Not sure, I have reservations about trusting autonomous technology in flight.]( [No, I prefer traditional piloted helicopters for my travels.]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you which aspect of the recently discovered ancient lobe-finned fish in Australia intrigued you the most. Here are the results: 🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜ The fact it existed around 380 million years ago. Earth was such a different place. (25%) 🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️️ Its air-breathing capability — and how this works. (33%) 🟩🟩️️🟩🟩🟩🟩 How environmental changes drive biological adaptations. (37%) 🟨⬜️️⬜️️⬜️️⬜️⬜️ Fossil discoveries do not interest me. (5%) “We’re really focused on autonomy. That’s what we specialize in and what we think will bring the biggest step-change to make vertical flight much safer and more accessible.” Ben Frank, CCO of Rotor Technologies THINGS WE LOVE [[DaVinci Code Crypte] Google Pixel Buds Pro $149.99]( [[Magnetic Levitating Pen] Portable Pet Cleaner $119.94]( [[TESLYAR Wood Phone Docking Station] Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner $110.49]( [[Magnetic Levitating Bulb] Mesh WiFi System $90.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [New technique can spy on your security cameras through walls]( - [Would you drink lab-made milk? 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