Microsoft has announced a glider that uses artificial intelligence ( AI ) to remain airborne without propulsion . The glider " floats " on naturally - occurring currents of hot air with the AI interpreting information on wind direction and air temperature , allowing the glider to detect and locate thermals , then reverse its course to float in the air . The machine has been tested over the Nevada desert , and can be adapted to run on solar and wind farms . Possible future uses may include monitoring crops and relaying mobile phone coverage .
Microsoft has announced a glider that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to remain airborne without propulsion. The glider "floats" on naturally-occurring currents of hot air with the AI interpreting data on wind direction and air temperature, allowing the glider to predict and locate thermals, then adjust its course to remain in the air. The machine has been tested over the Nevada desert, and could be adapted to run on solar and wind energy. Possible future uses cited include monitoring crops and relaying mobile phone coverage.