Obstacle avoidance

Obstacle avoidance means a machine can notice what is in front of it and react before it hits it. Drones use small cameras or distance sensors pointing in one or more directions.

Coverage matters. A drone with sensors only on its back can still fly face-first into a tree. Full coverage, all the way around, costs more.

Example: a cheap selfie drone chasing a hiker through woods hits a low branch, while a drone with sensors all around would slow down and steer past.