University of Michigan

An outdoor fly lab for testing autonomous aerial vehicles is open for use at the University of Michigan College of Engineering. M-Air will let researchers and students safely push algorithms and equipment to their limits, says Ella Atkins, professor of aerospace engineering. “I believe M-Air will rapidly become an incubator for new aerial vehicle concepts,” Atkins said. “With this facility, we can pursue aggressive educational and research flight projects that involve high risk of fly-away or loss-of-control—and in realistic wind, lighting and sensor conditions.”