Whiskers are common on a huge range of different animals, from cats and dogs to sealife such as seals but why could they be useful on small drones? Animals use them for short range distance sensing, not only are they capable of detecting objects they can also be used to detect speed and direction in fluids.
A university in Australia recently showed their new whisker sensing system designed for small drones. Lidar is and will remain the most popular way of mapping/monitoring an environment on a drone but whiskers would be a lighter, less complex and much cheaper alternative option. You can read more here!