ROBOTIC AMBULANCE COMPLETES FIRST SOLO FLIGHT TEST

JERUSALEM An autonomous flying ambulance, launched by an Israeli company has successfully completed its first solo test flight. The newly developed ambulance likely replaces the helicopters to offer a potential solution for challenging search and rescue missions. Currently helicopters are offering the best transportation option in most cases. However, these vehicles need clear areas to land, and in the case of war zones, helicopters tend to attract enemy fire. Last month, the company flew the Cormorant on the craft's first solo flight over real terrain. The vehicle is designed to eventually carry people or equipment without a human pilot on board, according to 'Live Science' reports. Rather than using propellers or rotors to fly, the Cormorant uses ducted fans that are effectively shielded rotors, which means the aircraft does not need to worry about bumping into a wall and damaging the rotors. Another set of fans propels the vehicle forward. The vehicle is effectively a decision-making system that can figure out what to do if there is a problem in the inputs from the sensors, the company, Urban Aeronautics, said. If the Cormorant detects a potential issue, the drone's robotic brain can decide whether to go home, land and wait for more instructions, or try a different flight path.