Flight school for robots

摘要

In the basement of a Boston building, there's a gymnasium where drones can play. Safety netting lines the walls, and the floor is covered with protective mats, Bright lights illuminate the room and a network of infrared cameras can capture the drones' movements. One falls to the floor, bouncing along into a bumpy but damage-free landing. This is the dress rehearsal for the future of autonomous drones. Over the past few years, many companies have proposed ambitious plans for drones. Amazon, Google, Walmart and even Domino's Pizza have all expressed interest in delivering purchases via carrier drone. Others imagine drones racing out alone to fight fires or manage crops. But before we let them loose, they need to learn how to drive on their own.