Wowwee's FlyTech Dragonfly now shipping

It might not be as flashy as some of those other Wowwee creations, but it makes up for it with some pretty innovative wing-flapping action. Plus, for $50 it won't break the bank. Just in case you missed it the first time around, Wowwee's FlyTech Dragonfly is RC controlled up to 30 feet (apparently that 150 feet we heard before was quite a bit off), rechargeable, and built out of carbon fiber for living through the occasional rough landing or (hopefully) frequent dive-bomb attacks. The included controller sports a magnetic perch and charges the bot in about 15 minutes for 10 minutes of flight time. Inside the box there are a couple of extra sets of wings and a spare propeller. For the moment this one looks to be a RadioShack exclusive.

[Via RobotsRule]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 4:07PM]

I am so buying this.

[CowboyUGA Posted Feb 8th 2007 4:11PM]

What the hell am I going to do within 30 feet? Indoor use only? I'm sorry, but 30 feet really is not that far at all.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 4:15PM]

"What the hell am I going to do within 30 feet?"

Dive bomb people/animals.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 4:31PM]

Let the air campaign of shock and awe commence in cubical war.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 4:38PM]

Swap the included transmitter/reciever out for a commercial RC set. You'll get about a half mile with a low power small reciever.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 5:21PM]

what's the propeller for if the wings flap and create the lift?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 5:26PM]

Looks like there's some junk beneath the tail?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 4:45PM]

Now, if someone can give me instructions on how to build a remote controlled dart gun, I'll be a happy camper.

Cry havoc, and let loose the dogs of war!

[spherehead71 Posted Feb 8th 2007 5:08PM]

Actually the correct quote is: "Cry havoc and let SLIP the dogs of war"

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 9th 2007 1:28AM]

Radio Shack says
"Control distance: 30 feet"

But the user guide says

"Location
You can operate FlyTech Dragonfly both indoors
and outdoors. The maximum recommended range
for the controller is 45 meters (150 feet)."

I hope its 150 feet ....

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 5:23PM]

I downloaded the PDF of the instruction manual and it states "You can operate FlyTech Dragonfly both indoors and outdoors. The maximum recommended range for the controller is 45 meters (150 feet)." So it looks like the 30 feet listed on Radio Shacks feature page may be incorrect.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 7:01PM]

steve-o,

Stabilization and steering I would guess.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 5:48PM]

I'm gonna take a guess on this one...

The wings create lift, and the propeller in the back steers it.

[kornchild2002 Posted Feb 8th 2007 6:00PM]

The back prop helps stabilize the Dragonfly. You can use the remote to adjust how straight the unit flies. You turn the knob in the middle to the right and the dragonfly will fly in a right motion and vise versa. More than likely, because these things are coming off of a manufacturing line, they won't fly completely straight. Thus, they put the prop in.

The prop doesn't help for lift or for turning, it just helps it fly straight.

[BrianK Posted Feb 8th 2007 8:22PM]

soopergooman:

Ornithopters have been around since the time of daVinci. So I think you were beat by a few hundred years. Making some "R/C" would fall under the category of "obvious"

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 8th 2007 7:24PM]

soopergooman:

You thought about it. They did it.

Why don't I just write down a idea of a super battery that stores tons of energy and mail that to myself.

That way, I can sue someone when it actually happens.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 9th 2007 2:50AM]

I think this would be great at my school. I can stand on the balcony of my apartment and dive bomb people walking by on the path. I know what I'm doing this weekend.

[deslock Posted Feb 9th 2007 9:48AM]

http://www.ornithopter.org/ has an R/C bird for $250 as well as various free flight bird kits for $10, so this isn't the first commercially available ornithopter.

But for $50, it's by far the cheapest R/C ornithopter that I'm aware of.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 13th 2007 4:25AM]

I love the guy who wants to get 1/2 mile range [with R/C]. His eyesight must rival Superman.