Pilots? We don't need no stinkin' pilots!

September 1, 2008 5:34 AM

These helicopters fly themselves. No mention of arming them, but who do they think they are kidding?
posted by From Bklyn (9 comments total)

Maybe "air-to-ground cooperation" is some sort of euphemism.
posted by The White Hat at 5:41 AM on September 1, 2008

Damn Stanford warmongers!
posted by Cyrano at 5:46 AM on September 1, 2008

It is maybe a little less sexy than, at first blush, it might sound. You can't exactly tell it to go pick up a coffee for you. But still it is a significant feat. Here's a good overview of one of their projects.

This lecture from that overview goes into exactly what they have done. The lecture is 20-odd minutes long.
posted by From Bklyn at 5:48 AM on September 1, 2008

A fully automatic shotgun seems a logical choice.

Also, SkyNet awakens, abandon all hope, etc., etc.
posted by LordSludge at 6:39 AM on September 1, 2008

LordSludge: need YakketySax soundtrack

or, better, "Duck Season!" "No! Rabbit Season!"
posted by hal9k at 7:19 AM on September 1, 2008

Maybe "air-to-ground cooperation" is some sort of euphemism.

More specifically, "air-to-ground cooperation of autonomous robotic vehicles." Free of pesky humans from end-to-end. Neat!
posted by Thorzdad at 8:41 AM on September 1, 2008

Old news. And Fire Scout is planned to be armed.
posted by squorch at 12:03 PM on September 1, 2008

diydrones.com might be of interest too. The photo and video gallery is worth checking out.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:10 PM on September 1, 2008 [2 favorites]

Flying Hunter-Killer development is proceeding apace, I see.
posted by The Tensor at 12:12 PM on September 1, 2008