Wowwee branching out with FlyTech Dragonfly, FCC reveals

Where would we be without the FCC? Our favorite leaksters just let slip the latest RC creation from Wowwee, the FlyTech Dragonfly, which Wowwee bills as the "world's first radio-controlled flying insect." The Dragonfly flies by flapping its ultra-light wings, and can be used indoors and outdoors. Power is provided by an internal battery which can provide around 10 minutes of flying time, and can be recharged by perching the Dragonfly on the controller, which sports six AA batteries and can charge the RC insect in around 15 minutes. The wings and rear propellor (which is used to control "trim," all helicopter-style) are user-replaceable, but for the most part the bug is fairly crash resistant. There's around 150 feet of wireless range, along with "beginner" and "expert" control modes. In traditional Wowwee style, there are plenty of LEDs involved, informing the user of battery life, controller status and other fun things, but unfortunately there's not a whole lot of "robot" going on here. And of course, there's no word on price or availability yet, since this just hit the FCC. Wowwee at least has a few kinks to work out of its manual, since the FCC version of which still includes the line, "Note: When using the FlyTech Dragonfly, some adult supervision is required." Followed by the parenthetical: "Do we need this here? Is QC requiring it?" We're sure that once they figure out that whole "will it destroy children" sitch, this thing won't be far from retail shelves. Peep the controller and a features diagram after the break.

Read - FCC: Wowwee's FlyTech Dragonfly
Read - FCC: Dragonfly controller

[Eugene @ Dec 1st 2006 6:28PM]

looks like it could be kinda fun if it is under 80 bucks

[Bhaughbb @ Dec 1st 2006 6:52PM]

I want one, it'd drive my cats' absolutely nuts.

[nick @ Dec 1st 2006 6:59PM]

This is too fun! I hope this is a new trend. Remember the movie "Richie Rich" where they had a remote controlled bee... I think that would be the next cool innovation, if they can get all that technology into that little BEE..

But all in all, I think kids would love this gadget..

(nicholas)
http://www.tingog.com

[Justin Rogers @ Dec 1st 2006 7:35PM]

now if they can make it fly autonomously or controlled by the wowwee robosapiens it will be the best toy ever

[John Stracke @ Dec 1st 2006 8:10PM]

Didn't Danny Dunn have one of these? I think the book was "Danny Dunn and the Invisibility Simulator", because he could use it to spy on people.

No, here it is in Wikipedia: "Danny Dunn, Invisible Boy".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Dunn,_Invisible_Boy

[evo @ Dec 1st 2006 8:17PM]

I, for one, welcome our robotic ornithopter overlords.

[Michael Parker McEachern @ Dec 1st 2006 8:21PM]

What's on the wings, that print looks for strange.

[dave @ Dec 1st 2006 10:02PM]

There are all kinds of photos and specs on the FCC site.

[jessew @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:10AM]

If it can be radio contolled it can be autonomous....
but I bet it would be easiest to do the processing off board.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 2nd 2006 9:17AM]

How long until Wowee fills every niche with some kind of future-prehistoric creature?
You can soon create some kid of wacky reverse "Land of the Lost" where things are beyond our understanding and control!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Daddy DO something!!!

[Monket @ Dec 3rd 2006 10:29PM]

brill. as if I can fly a dragonfly. Give me a price?

[AJ @ Dec 4th 2006 10:33AM]

but how big is it? It would be kinda lame if it were any more than half a foot long. Probably not, but would be great if it was actual dragonfly size methinks.

[Robert Oschler @ Dec 14th 2006 11:45PM]

Very cool! And now there's a Flytech Dragonfly Video which you can see on this page:

http://www.robotsrule.com/html/flytech-dragonfly.php

Pay attention to the other robots in the WowWee showroom and you can see a giant Roboraptor! I believe the bug is about 6 inches long from nose to tail.

[egadfly @ Apr 29th 2007 2:13PM]

i'm a huge dragonfly fan (and pilot!)

I just found an interview with the wowwee inventor of the dragonfly, Sean Frawley. Details on the fly, its creation, its durability and more...click here

[Jason Edwards @ Jan 23rd 2008 7:29PM]

Eugene; I found the WowWee remote control Moth for only $29.99 at http://www.dragonusaonline.com. I do not know about the quality of there service but all of the prices looked great.

http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=UMLJJ4073