An autonomous flying ambulance has
successfully completed its first solo test flight, offering a potential
solution for challenging search and rescue missions. Completing such missions
in rough terrain or combat zones can be tricky, with helicopters currently
offering the best transportation option in most cases. However, these vehicles
need clear areas to land, and in the case of war zones, helicopters tend to
attract enemy fire. The autonomous flying vehicle, dubbed the Cormorant, has
been tested by an Israeli company and could one day go where helicopters can’t.
The vehicle is designed to eventually carry people or equipment without a human
pilot on board. Rather than using propellers or rotors to fly, the Cormorant
uses ducted fans that are effectively shielded rotors, which means the aircraft
does not need to worry about bumping into a wall and damaging the rotors. Another
set of fans propels the vehicle forward. The vehicle is effectively a decision
making system that can figure out what to do if there is a problem in the
inputs from the sensors, the company, Urban Aeronautics, said.
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