This is just 'low on fuel software, lets land on this safe spot" sort of software. Somehow I would expect more from MIT.

There is software which allows quadcopter to fly even if one rotor fails: http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/new-algorithm-can-save-a...

Also it is relatively simple to equip drone with parachute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D8OB-t3B_c