The Physics of Flying: Teaching a Robotic Glider to Soar Like a Bird

Speaker: 
Gautam Reddy
Event Date: 
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 - 6:00pm

Birds are amazing flying machines, capable of traveling thousands of miles across oceans and continents. To do this, they often exploit "thermals," rising currents of hot air in the atmosphere, to soar high into the clouds. Over dinner and drinks, KITP Graduate Fellow Gautam Reddy will share insights into the fascinating phenomenon of thermal soaring, how birds migrate, and his experiences teaching a robotic glider to soar like a bird.