alt.hn

3/18/2026 at 1:42:29 AM

UC Irvine researchers bring down AI powered drones with painted umbrellas

 https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.20362

by jcalvinowens

3/18/2026 at 1:42:29 AM

The real paper title is too long to fit: "FlyTrap: Physical Distance-Pulling Attack Towards Camera-based Autonomous Target Tracking Systems"

Twenty second demonstration video: https://youtu.be/tXDb5lqqFgw?si=NcAxtJIPVaLgYmun

by jcalvinowens

3/18/2026 at 11:45:49 AM

Video link without tracking: https://youtu.be/tXDb5lqqFgw

by ThePowerOfFuet

3/18/2026 at 3:16:45 PM

Mobile abbreviates the URL and I missed it! Thanks, too late to edit unfortunately.

by jcalvinowens

3/18/2026 at 11:11:57 PM

Pretty cool. I think a combo of that and emergency blankets (which hide your heat signature) will make you invisible to drones.

by cat-turner

3/18/2026 at 2:25:23 PM

"Adversarial umbrella" is my band's new name

by deflator

3/18/2026 at 2:12:12 PM

I'm not sure the "painting" of the umbrella added much benefit. Most of the tracking ability would be lost with any opaque head covering

by ninju

3/18/2026 at 2:19:46 PM

Then I think you're missing the point. Any opaque head covering would not be enough to bring the drone in to capturing or sensor attacking distance. The point is to get the drone to close distance not to stop tracking.

by RobotCaleb