Remote controlled Aeryon Scout snaps stills from above

Though certainly not the first gizmo designed with aerial photography in mind, the Aeryon Scout is a notch above most alternatives. The hovering platform enables users to capture still shots and log digital video from up above, and while it can be controlled remotely, we're also hearing that autonomous navigation isn't totally out of reach. Currently, the device is still looking to escape the prototype stage, but its creators are already eying police forces, security firms and surveying / engineering businesses in hopes of landing a few clients. Considering the stunningly high $30,000 to $50,000 price tag, we'd say they're looking in the right (read: only) direction.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets, image courtesy of InventorSpot]

[Shinigami @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:36AM]

My friends can make one for a smaller sum, like $15,000 xD

[NineT9 @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:36AM]

internet tag, first person to reply to me is it

[Shinigami @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:38AM]

I have a question.
Can you explain this "first" thing to me? Because I don't really get it.
Why do you want to be first to post a stupid comment not on topic?

[Mat @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:24AM]

no sorry, you're it!

[mushrooshi @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:24AM]

LOLPENIS!

I HAVE A SMALLER PENIS THAN YOU!

LOLPENIS!

[Backwards People @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:59AM]

I'll explain it: there's 'grammar police trolls', there are other trolls too, like this one is the "first post troll".

I have stickers for them all. They are scratch and sniff.

[Darkroom @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:23AM]

Burn and Rip

[notYou @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:25AM]

wow, looks like it'll be great for target practice in the hood.

[wazzup @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:14AM]

well it took me a few minutes to remember where i've seen this before and this is it:

http://www.draganfly.com/

Draganfly has been around for ages (lots of fun as far as I can tell!).

This aeryon bot thing isn't so "innovative" (sic their website) and waaay more expensive than it has any right to be it looks to me.

[wazzup @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:16AM]

oh and (for those that don't like external links):

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/13/draganfly-savs-r-c-helicopter-does-aerial-photography-on-the-ch/

[TedB @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:27AM]

I posted the same thing on the inventor spot comment thread awhile back, dragonfly has been making the same design, just alot better for a long time.

This POS is a complete rip off.

[schmitty338 @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:43AM]

Uhhh...that dragonfly thing has a maximum flying time of 15 minutes...and doesn't look nearly as stable as this, but I could be wrong.

As for 'rip-off', ever heard of building upon past accomplishments? What's wrong with looking at existing designs, identifying their weaknesses and strengths, and then attempting to improve upon it?

In fact, I believe it is this principle that brought us to the point we are at today.

[CapnJ0nes @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:25AM]

"Autonomous navigation isn't totally out of reach?" MIT is already there with Draganflyers:

http://www.rctoys.com/pr/2007/02/09/mit-swarm-project-uses-draganflyer-rc-helicopters/

[mushrooshi @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:25AM]

*cough* MANHACKS *cough*

[Elaine @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:33AM]

If it's anything like a manhack, it'll scare the crap out of me.
*click/flash* -25 health! DD:

[debilz @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:46AM]

Wowww this looks like one of the coolest things.

[Chuckles McGee @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:24AM]

How long can it hover before recharging/refueling?

[Craig @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:53AM]

Two words: SkyNet beta

[Revvy @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:22AM]

This thing is a complete rip-off of the silverlit UFO... I have 2 of them. They have the exact same layout, with the exact same foam surrounding the blades and the sides are even marked with blue and red LED's the same as that thing is painted. Here's a link to it: http://www.silverlit-flyingclub.com/xufo-body.htm I've had mine for about 3 years.

The silverlit ones are very stable and easy to fly (I used my first one as a hover trainer when I was learning to fly remote control helicopters). It is also MAD durable. I've crashed mine into walls at very high speed...no damage at all. Just picked it up, set it upright and took off again.

Funny thing is that I had bought a wireless camera for my helicopter and put it on the UFO. While it was honestly too heavy for the poor little ufo, it still flew, just very very poorly.

The real problem with these 4 bladed designs is that they are completely dependant on the internal gyro. Once the gyro tumbles (i.e. loses center) it literally falls out of the air. Also fast forward flight is very difficult with these as they quickly hit their maximum speed.

That being said... This Aeryon Scout thing is a complete ripoff. Down to coloring of the segments.

[TIMMAH! @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:46PM]

Hey those X-UFO units are cool. Just curious though, how much weight can it lift? Would I be able to put a small digital camera on it?

[Chris @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:23AM]

This is a rip off of the x-ufo (check it out on ebay). I've owned one
for at least 3 years and paid $200 back in the day. Two years ago I tossed a $50 wireless camera on it an did the same thing.

I'll sell them all day long for $500 if there are any takers! The extra $250 is my labor to install the camera with Velcro and providing an equally equivalent bad paint-job.

[Chris @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:29AM]

That's funny. Revvy, you were posting while I was still composing!
Yeah, mine flew like crap with the camera on it as well : ) But we
did it first and cheaper!

Chris

[Greg Baz @ Apr 23rd 2008 2:07PM]

I could manufacture this for them in china for $350 or less per unit. It could retail at $2000. 30-50k? guys no offence but get real. This product in no way justifies that king of cost. Even if you hand build them and plate them in 22k gold that is way too much. You are trying to recover your investment and time for 2 years of work. Sorry but no one iw willing to pay for that. You will sell 1 at that price. At $2000 you sell 1000 a year.

[tkn0spdr @ Apr 23rd 2008 2:26PM]

I agree about this not being new and innovative, unless they've; 1.
super extended the flight time, I'm thinking close to an hour of
flight time per charge, 2. increased it's payload capacity, and 3. changed it from a fixed pitch to a collective pitch design. Otherwise it'll never survive in the outdoors, a good gust will send it tumbling.

[Anommonoys @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:58PM]

OMFG LOL GFY ROFL GAY

[cybercesar @ Apr 24th 2008 12:05AM]

Im already shooting aerial video with my draganflyer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8yXZoyDAKA

[liubiao2 @ Apr 25th 2008 6:03AM]

LOOK ! UFO

[Anonymous @ Apr 25th 2008 11:53AM]

I only say, http://www.asctec.de/

Autonomous Navigation is already there in the Professional Systems and it is much cheeper.