TOP technologies for 2005

A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations in the news during the past year, as deemed by readers and editors.

MIT researchers have developed and tested an aircraft-guidance system that allows a pilot in one plane to guide another, separate UAV by speaking commands in English.

The system allows the pilot to interface with the UAV at a high level, not just “turn right, turn left” but “fly to this region and perform this task,” according to Boeing. The pilot essentially treats the UAV as a wingman.