Autohover

Autohover refers to a control capability in aerial robotics and related software that allows an aircraft or device to maintain a stable hovering state automatically, with little to no operator input. In aviation and unmanned aircraft, autohover is typically part of an autopilot or flight-control system that uses sensors such as GPS, IMU, barometer, magnetometer, and vision sensors to hold position and altitude.

The system receives a command to hover or enters a hover mode after takeoff or in response to operator input, and it maintains a fixed position and altitude by adjusting rotor thrust and attitude. Autohover relies on closed-loop control, often implementing a combination of position hold and altitude hold, with wind compensation and wind drift estimation. It is a foundational capability for tasks such as waypoint surveys, payload operations, and autonomous surveillance. It also includes safety features like fail-safe return-to-home, geofencing, and altitude/position limits.

In the context of software and user interfaces, "autohover" may describe functionality that automatically moves or keeps a cursor over a UI element to trigger tooltips or contextual help, or to simulate hover interactions in automated testing. The term is not standardized across platforms and may be used informally to describe various hover-related automation features.

See also autopilot, hover, GPS hold, UAV, VTOL, ArduPilot, PX4.