Researchers develop flying WiFi robots for disaster relief
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Mar 4th 2009 7:59PM
posted Mar 4th 2009 7:59PM
Researchers at Germany's Ilmenau University of Technology are developing flying quadcopter robots that can be used to form a self-assembling ad-hoc wireless network in the event of disaster. Built with off-the-shelf parts (including VIA's Pico-ITX hardware and a GPS unit) the robots are designed to provide both mobile phone and WiFi access -- and they can do it far more quickly than a technician on the ground might be able to. The device comes in a kit for €300 (about $380), which includes all but the battery -- the batteries currently run around €1,000 (over $1200) and only offer up 20 minutes of flight time. Once the device has found a perch, however, it can operate for "several hours." If you'd like to see some more of this guy, be sure to head on over to FutureParc hall at CeBIT. Either that, or check out the additional picture after the break.
[Thanks, David]
[Thanks, David]
For disasters? Screw that, I want one to follow me around!
Better yet, hack into the control systems and program them to do your biddings!!!
Moo Ha Ha!
Bank robberies, Corps disposal, sexy parties... the possibilities are endless!
It'd be like that hat thing from "Meet the Robinsons" haha. Always bumping into things.
Why would you buy a robot to attend sexy parties for you? I'm guessing you play WOW?
At first I was like how is this gonna help in a disaster, cameras maybe. But after further investigation these are a great idea if they actually work well in terms if cell/wifi signals... That is until the guy in charge crashes it into the side of a building.
Or there's a wind... from... maybe... the cause of the disaster
Yes because some university researchers DEFINITELY didn't think of something that was immediately apparent to someone on engadget. I mean, these people are probably EEs who live and breathe this sort of thing, and clearly would never consider the obvious factors during any phase of this project. :p
Communications relay.. land this puppy and use ti as a tower...
"i" want to build one of these.. well its off to the dollar store for parts...!
The batteries are supplied by Apple, Sony has the exact same battery for $29 (and they're removable)
Cameras? Yes, that'll be like HL2 *flash*
Operation time is definitely an issue. One solution might be that it could carry a small charge of light compressed gas and an anchor of sorts. Once a perch is found it could drop an anchor, fill a balloon with the charge of compressed gas to keep it in the air and shut off the lift motors. I guess you could also have a refueling device that flies around and supplies new batteries to each unit, this device could bridge ongoing calls during the battery swap.
I like it. Want...
But gonna need to remove that pack and put some double A's in there
it would have no hope of getting off the ground with AA's
way to break the mans dreams you !
its okay pyro
Too bad the FAA here in the states wont issue a certificate of airworthiness to UAVs no matter how small except over unpopulated areas. Federal bureaucracy ftl.
Terrorists... bombs... cell phone jammers
need "i" say more?
I think you're mistaken on two counts. First, this isn't the kind of UAV the government would have a problem with. This is just a small, glorified RC helicopter with some autopiloting features built in. Second, there is a growing hobbyist contingent that builds RC planes with UAV capabilities already. One such plane even used a LEGO programmable brick as the flight computer.
growing hobbyist contingent that builds RC planes with UAV capabilities: http://diydrones.com/
take a bunch of these out camping
why wouldn't you use a neutral buoyancy balloon?
or deploy one, once its on station?
with an electrical tether to the ground you could even supply it power to stay up for extended periods.
Yes. A balloon / blimp would make more sense.
C'mon, now you're just pulling things out of MGS2. Where's the fun in that?
This would be a good addition to the USARSim collection of robots...I just don't want to have to put it into the UT2004 database.
So even in a disaster, we can still get porn.
Huzzah!
What "off the shelf" hardware is it?
Manhacks!
$1200 for a 3 cell LiPo?
Where's he buying them, RadioShack?
they are actually apple spec'd batteries.
but seriously, thats a ridiculous price for a LiPo battery.
I wonder when would the Philippines have this kind of robot.
http://www.gadgetsway.com
It needs to be solar powered for longer use.
http://www.draganfly.com/ -------- way cooler...
[quote]http://www.draganfly.com/ -------- way cooler...[/quote]
Yeah, way cooler if you could afford one. The base model is 14995.00 USD.
Well as long as the disaster isn't strong winds, this could actually work...
Skynet...it's happening...
Every day a little bit closer.
Microsoft Sync + Amazon's little Tom voice (laugh included) + Honda
(and I'm sure apple can make it look all shiny and pretty so we don't see it coming).
you kno for them emergency cravings of porn when your in the middle of tha nawlins
orly
No way that these moters could haul $1200 worth of batt pack
oops sent before I ran spell check & finished message
Just few comments...
What's Wifi access worth in times when people don't have access to electricity to power their computers? Regarding cellular network, when I was in Prague during flood in 2002, cellular networks still worked. I hoped that at least one of service providers could offer first 30 seconds for free, (with max. call duration 30 seconds, for example). None of them did that. They gained huge profits. That's hyenaism, if you ask me. But back to topic...
Far more efficient solution is in my opinion to shoot the access point with harpoon. You get to any location within 20 min. range of this device (almost independently on the weather) and you can add cable to it (such as power cable, Ethernet cable, etc.). Not to mention price for that solution. And a small touch, with harpoon, you can shoot to walls, you do not need flat surfaces.
They should just remove the fancy propellers, add a (remotely collapsible) hook, shoot it in the top of a tree or some tall structure and bob's your uncle.
What if all the tress were blown down or submerged in flood water?
Aluminium pole :D
Anything that will help in a disaster situation is at least worth a try. http://www.survivalstreet.com
That's a very silly statement.