Whisker-Guided Drone Navigation

Researchers at Delft University of Technology developed an artificial-whisker system that lets very small drones sense nearby surfaces through contact.

Pressure sensors in flexible whiskers estimate contact position and depth, while onboard processing filters interference from the drone’s propellers. Tests demonstrated obstacle avoidance, wall following, tactile mapping, and finding an exit in unlit spaces, including around transparent barriers that can challenge optical sensors. The work explores how touch can complement or replace vision-based navigation in confined environments, though experiments also point to practical constraints such as drift, calibration, and modest flight speeds.