The eMotionSpheres show how several flying objects can move within a defined airspace in a coordinated manner. Whether they are moving individually or collectively, there are no collisions – even in chaotic situations – as the spheres move out of each other’s way with the help of stored behaviour patterns.
Ten cameras installed in the space detect the spheres via their active infrared markers and pass on the position data to a central master computer. The actions calculated from this process are sent back to the spheres, which then implement them locally. The intelligent networking system creates a guidance and monitoring system which could be used in the networked factory of the future.
Each of the eight balls has a diameter of 95 centimetres and is filled with helium. They are each driven by eight small propellers, which are attached to their outer shell. The drives are adaptive and supply the same efficient thrust in a forward and reverse direction, which is a first when it comes to flying objects.