“Phantom Twist”: US Researchers Build a Drone That Blurs Before Your Eyes

Trending Topics · 2 months ago · 43

Northwestern University researchers built a prototype drone called "Phantom Twist" that rotates its entire airframe up to 25 times per second to exploit human vision's motion blur rather than using traditional camouflage. The team used AI optimization algorithms to test 20,000 configurations, selecting components and layouts that minimize visual detection from all angles while maintaining flight stability. The prototype measures roughly ten times less perceptible than conventional quadcopters, potentially enabling wildlife monitoring and environmental surveys with less observer disruption, though it remains audible and partly visible.