The researchers at MIT has started work on a new and very interesting (if not somewhat baffling) technology of creating three dimensional images using flying LED carrying drones or micro-copters. The copters will somehow be spatially aware of each other and be capable of filling a three dimensional space with precision and able to create two dimensional displays in the air as well is three dimensional images either by formation flying or sequential lighting gimmickry. The research is in its infant phase with only computerized models currently available for showing how they intend to have it finally working.

Opinion on blogs and YouTube comments to the project videos are ranging from skeptical to extremely excited. I fall in the latter category. I don’t think the final application will necessarily end up being micro-copter based and it could very well end up in a box on your desktop using alternative visualization mechanisms like magnetically controlled LED dots for instance being used. The levitation mechanism in my opinion is irrelevant even though the spin off science and results could be very interesting.

I think the software control mechanism is what is really of interest. We know that MIT has been working on military projects involving artificially intelligent drone RC helicopters that can do areal tricks and stunts no human could pull off including landing on steep inclines, reversing rotor lift to stick to slippery slopes and taking off again. That technology could easily be shared with this project and according to the credits it is fair to assume this will be the case.

For more information go here: http://senseable.mit.edu/flyfire/