Can AI pilot a small drone autonomously through obstacles ?

Skydio's autonomy stack and military counterparts have made obstacle-avoidance mostly a solved control problem at small scales.

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Current AI systems can pilot a small drone autonomously through obstacles using a variety of sensors and algorithms. These systems often rely on technologies such as lidar, stereo vision, or other forms of depth sensing to perceive their environment and avoid collisions. Researchers have demonstrated the ability of autonomous drones to navigate through complex environments, including those with dynamic obstacles, using advanced control strategies and machine learning techniques. The development of such capabilities has numerous potential applications, including search and rescue, inspection, and package delivery.

— Enriched May 9, 2026 · Source: IEEE — https://www.ieee.org