Northwestern Researchers Build AI-Designed Drone That Blurs at 1,500 RPM
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 22
Northwestern Researchers Build AI-Designed Drone That Blurs at 1,500 RPM
2 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jul 22
Summary
Phantom Twist spins at 25 times per second—about 1,500 rpm—making the drone appear as a faint, semi-transparent blur rather than a distinct shape to human observers.
One motor and one propeller drive the effect: the propeller turns one way while the rest of the drone spins the opposite way, smearing its outline like a fast-moving fan blade.
AI and optimization software repeatedly rearranged the motor, propeller, circuit board, counterweight and batteries, then scored each layout with a perception model built to approximate human vision.
The winning design spread opaque parts around the frame to reduce visual detectability, though the prototype still emits a high-pitched whine that rises as spin speed increases.