The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently launched a drone tour guide called 'Skycall,' developed by Senseable City Laboratory customized to help the average freshman by helping to navigate them through complex environments. Skycall is an "autonomous flying quadcopter and personal tour guide -- operating in one of mankind's most difficult and disorientating labyrinths: MIT campus."
The drone uses UAV technology to autonomously sense and see its environment and has the ability to interact with real people. There is even an app for your smartphone that custom tailors your destinations for you depending on where you want to go. The quadcopter has an autopilot, a camera, GPS navigation system coupled with sensors and WiFi connectivity enabling communication between the drone and the target user.
Once the user calls the drone with a smartphone, the drone will automatically receive the user's GPS location, locate the target and fly to them.
GPS-Guided Flying Drones
The 'Skycall' Drone Will Be Your Personal Tour Guide for MIT
Trend Themes
1. Gps-guided Drones - Opportunity for developing drone technology that utilizes GPS navigation to autonomously guide users through complex environments, such as campuses or cities.
2. Autonomous Tour Guides - Potential for creating personal tour guide drones that use UAV technology to interact with users and provide customized directions and recommendations.
3. UAV Technology in Education - Emerging trend of using drones in educational settings to enhance navigation and orientation for students in complex environments.
Industry Implications
1. Drone Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity in the drone industry to develop GPS-guided drones tailored for personal navigation and tour guide services.
2. Tourism and Travel - Opportunity for the tourism industry to incorporate autonomous tour guide drones that provide personalized experiences and navigation assistance to travelers.
3. Education Technology - Potential for the education technology sector to explore the use of GPS-enabled drones as tools for enhancing navigation and orientation in educational settings.