Aerospace

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No More Joystick – Torso Movements Precisely Pilot Drones

According to a study by EPFL scientists in Switzerland , a person's torso is more intuitive and effective than joysticks or keyboards when it comes to piloting drones – both simulated and real. The scientists monitored the body movements of 17 individuals, using infrared markers. Each participant followed the actions of a virtual drone through simulated landscapes, through virtual reality goggles. Motion patterns emerged and the scientists found that only four markers – located on the torso – were needed to pilot flight simulators and real drones through a circuit of obstacles effectively. The scientists found that torso drone control outperformed joystick control in precision, reliability, and with minimal training sessions.