With the eMotionSpheres, Festo shows how several flying objects can move in a coordinated manner and within a defined space. Whether individually or collectively—even in chaotic situations, there are no collisions as the spheres move out of each other’s way. Each of the eight spheres is filled with helium and is driven by eight small propellers that 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. Ten cameras installed in the space record 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 that could be used in the networked factory of the future.
This year the Ars Electronica Festival 2015 deals with the question, how the city of tomorrow will look like. Which role will guidance and monitoring systems play? Experience the eMotionSpheres at the Ars Electronica Festival 2015, September 3 to 7, in the vast halls of the former postal service’s letter and parcel distribution center – this year’s festival location.