Video: Taiyo's voice controlled Voice-Heli RC helicopter: "attack!"

We love RC helicopters. What self-respecting nerd doesn't? Add voice control and our dorktalic sensorloin careens into the red. Taiyo Co. plans to release a 7.2-inch radio controlled helicopter with 10-foot range sometime in 2009. At launch, the Voice-Heli will respond to commands such as "start engine," "up," "hold," "down," and "stop." Presumably, it'll recognize "quit spinning out of control you piece of Walmart shiznit!" in future versions. Taiyo says that it is targeting middle-aged men who would play with the toy rather than their children. Stop Taiyo, please, for your own sake, stop... you had us at voice controlled. Check the video after the break.

[Thanks, Vincent]

[Mobius_1 @ Jan 16th 2009 7:51AM]

lol, something else for you office workers to annoy coworkers with! :)

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 16th 2009 8:32AM]

and if your coworkers says "what up?" so much, it might end up nailed itself up to the ceiling.

[Flashpoint @ Jan 16th 2009 9:26AM]

I've got 3 picooz's in my closet.

Plenty of fun to play with for short periods of time but without extra axises of control, they aren't that great.

There are some better copters such as the Dragon Fly which offers 4 or 6 axises of control. They cost less than $150. Just check ebay.

[Mobius_1 @ Jan 16th 2009 10:19AM]

"Axises" lol... Axes FTW.

[G @ Jan 16th 2009 7:53AM]

I can barely stop my defective picoo z from flying into a wall with a remote control. If this thing's build quality is anything similar it will crash before you could tell it what to do.

[tekdroid @ Jan 16th 2009 7:54AM]

Very dry vid. I'm guessing marketing doesn't approve of this one :p

Nice gimmick, but no thanks (and a definite non-purchase if the heli doesn't come with easily replaceable batt, regardless of price).

[powka @ Jan 16th 2009 7:59AM]

if i say "mayday mayday" will it crash?

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 16th 2009 9:21AM]

No, presumably, instead, you can yelling as many commands as fast as recognizable at it, and eventually, it'll crash.

[Mobius_1 @ Jan 16th 2009 10:20AM]

Or you can just say "power off" :P

And if that doesn't work, I'm sure you can find an enterprising modder or two willing to have some fun.

[ImaYam @ Jan 16th 2009 10:44AM]

more like "Brace for Impact"

[Blackstar @ Jan 16th 2009 7:59AM]

After seeing this demonstration the Premium-Quality Vibrators and Stimulator™ Corporation saw an opportunity to apply this voice technology to their product line. Unfortunately we are unable to show you that demonstration. However, if you close your eyes and think dirty thoughts while playing the Taiyo's helicopter one, it sounds pretty much the same.

"start engine.....higher.....faster...lower.....don't stop...don't stop....oh god...oh god...faster...."

[eggothewaffle @ Jan 16th 2009 8:01AM]

"...that it is targeting middle-aged men who would play with the toy rather than their children."

Oh man.

There are so many jokes/memes that could apply here. I will just let everyone use their imagination/Encyclopedia Dramatica.

[absinthe party @ Jan 16th 2009 8:15AM]

I snorted pretty hard when I read "dorktalic sensorloin" at the same time I was munching on an Altoids and now my whole upper sinus area is on fire. Thanks for making me uncomfortable in confusing ways yet again, Engadget.

[eggothewaffle @ Jan 16th 2009 8:28AM]

"Thanks for making me uncomfortable in confusing ways yet again, Engadget."

Oh man.

There are so many jokes/memes that could apply here. I will just let everyone use their imagination/Encyclopedia Dramatica.

[absinthe party @ Jan 16th 2009 8:44AM]

Use the one that's least relevant! GO!

[Jack Chance @ Jan 16th 2009 11:51AM]

"dorktalic sensorloin"?

how'd you come up with that gem, trickster?

[Froggy @ Jan 16th 2009 8:31AM]

"dorktalic sensorloin" -- that just made my day.

[Saad Rabia @ Jan 16th 2009 8:32AM]

To the right, to the right.

[Marcela @ Jan 16th 2009 9:10AM]

Can it carry any weight? Like a coincentally sharp pencil....or maybe a altered batch of size 8/0 clips? Or even a small tauting banner?

[Malaycobra @ Jan 16th 2009 9:11AM]

Now if they could just get together with the people making those thought controlled games....

[Scott Stevenson @ Jan 16th 2009 9:21AM]

Crapgadget list: +1

Seriously, avoid! Having had experience with this helicopter's brethren (meaning helicopters based upon this same platform) I can inform those reading this article that this thing is CRASHTASTIC regardless of how well you pilot RC helicopters. It just rotor mechanism just doesn't produce stable flight.

-Scott

[Rick @ Jan 16th 2009 9:36AM]

My first thought upon seeing the picture is "Is that guy in the background Spenny?? Oh wait..."

[GFL @ Jan 16th 2009 9:41AM]

"Unit one attack hostile two"

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Jan 16th 2009 9:42AM]

Sounds like my last girlfriend; gets really high and then stops.

On a serious note, this is great technology, maybe.

[Jason @ Jan 16th 2009 9:53AM]

I, for one, welcome our new voice controlled robot hoverlords and would like to remind them...

[Technex @ Jan 16th 2009 12:58PM]

Or just buy a proper 4 channel beginners helicopter :). Blade MCX, Blade CX2, Esky Lama V3, Esky Lama V4, Esky Robins 22 etc...

[micklol @ Jan 16th 2009 1:01PM]

needs a "bansai" option for sure

[FILA @ Jan 16th 2009 4:29PM]

10 feet! what. and this isnt gonna work out to well. you just cant say straight and let it go, you ever try to just do straight on a RC and it was perfect, nah your constantly adjusting it, maybe just a slight to the right or left but still. i see these crashing into walls, but i tell you what, kids see these, there gonna want, and thats what its all about, or i could be wrong, like i am to all of you

[P. Griffin @ Jan 16th 2009 8:58PM]

I think the real question is, can it do a Barrel Roll?

[z-man @ Jan 16th 2009 10:52PM]

What happens if I say "crash"?