Mini choppers that assisted in an emergency drill conducted by Japanese police may find themselves a more permanent place on the force after the experiment’s success.
In a video of the drill, four quadrocopters developed at Chiba University autonomously scan for “survivors” at the site of a simulated chemical explosion. In order to work, the machines rely on image processing and mathematical calculations from a host computer.
Local police want to introduce the quadrocopters for reconnaissance, which could include monitoring explosions or keeping an eye on power lines, according to a report.
Researchers reportedly said the exercise went “very well.”