Researchers develop flying WiFi robots for disaster relief

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]

[Chris @ Mar 4th 2009 8:05PM]

For disasters? Screw that, I want one to follow me around!

[iGoon @ Mar 4th 2009 8:19PM]

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!

[Bob @ Mar 4th 2009 10:02PM]

It'd be like that hat thing from "Meet the Robinsons" haha. Always bumping into things.

[Chad @ Mar 10th 2009 1:13PM]

Why would you buy a robot to attend sexy parties for you? I'm guessing you play WOW?

[reddyroc @ Mar 4th 2009 8:05PM]

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.

[PyRo1509 @ Mar 4th 2009 8:07PM]

Or there's a wind... from... maybe... the cause of the disaster

[oGMo @ Mar 4th 2009 8:28PM]

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

[iGoon @ Mar 4th 2009 8:35PM]

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...!

[Knee to the Groin @ Mar 4th 2009 10:19PM]

The batteries are supplied by Apple, Sony has the exact same battery for $29 (and they're removable)

[Grus @ Mar 5th 2009 6:05AM]

Cameras? Yes, that'll be like HL2 *flash*

[Chad @ Mar 10th 2009 1:11PM]

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.

[PyRo1509 @ Mar 4th 2009 8:06PM]

I like it. Want...

But gonna need to remove that pack and put some double A's in there

[you @ Mar 4th 2009 8:43PM]

it would have no hope of getting off the ground with AA's

[KAIKAI @ Mar 4th 2009 9:30PM]

way to break the mans dreams you !
its okay pyro

[BluesK1d @ Mar 4th 2009 8:07PM]

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.

[iGoon @ Mar 4th 2009 9:22PM]

Terrorists... bombs... cell phone jammers

need "i" say more?

[chispito @ Mar 5th 2009 3:50AM]

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.

[Russ @ Mar 5th 2009 5:47AM]

growing hobbyist contingent that builds RC planes with UAV capabilities: http://diydrones.com/

[James @ Mar 4th 2009 8:13PM]

take a bunch of these out camping

[go seki @ Mar 4th 2009 8:17PM]

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.

[FThorn @ Mar 4th 2009 10:03PM]

Yes. A balloon / blimp would make more sense.

[Chris @ Mar 4th 2009 11:52PM]

C'mon, now you're just pulling things out of MGS2. Where's the fun in that?

[David @ Mar 4th 2009 8:22PM]

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.

[SgtJonson @ Mar 4th 2009 8:29PM]

So even in a disaster, we can still get porn.

[The Dude @ Mar 4th 2009 9:53PM]

Huzzah!

[Colin B @ Mar 4th 2009 8:34PM]

What "off the shelf" hardware is it?

[ED @ Mar 4th 2009 8:40PM]

Manhacks!

[Rick @ Mar 4th 2009 8:41PM]

$1200 for a 3 cell LiPo?

Where's he buying them, RadioShack?

[you @ Mar 4th 2009 8:45PM]

they are actually apple spec'd batteries.




but seriously, thats a ridiculous price for a LiPo battery.

[Paul U @ Mar 4th 2009 8:51PM]

I wonder when would the Philippines have this kind of robot.

http://www.gadgetsway.com

[daniel @ Mar 4th 2009 9:01PM]

It needs to be solar powered for longer use.

[scancel @ Mar 4th 2009 11:42PM]

http://www.draganfly.com/ -------- way cooler...

[Matt @ Mar 5th 2009 1:20AM]

[quote]http://www.draganfly.com/ -------- way cooler...[/quote]

Yeah, way cooler if you could afford one. The base model is 14995.00 USD.

[Matt @ Mar 4th 2009 9:16PM]

Well as long as the disaster isn't strong winds, this could actually work...

[Aaron @ Mar 4th 2009 9:19PM]

Skynet...it's happening...

[Templarian @ Mar 4th 2009 9:39PM]

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).

[FILA @ Mar 4th 2009 9:39PM]

you kno for them emergency cravings of porn when your in the middle of tha nawlins

[Evan @ Mar 4th 2009 9:50PM]

orly

[Terry @ Mar 4th 2009 10:08PM]

No way that these moters could haul $1200 worth of batt pack

[Terry @ Mar 4th 2009 10:14PM]

oops sent before I ran spell check & finished message

[Hacik @ Mar 5th 2009 6:57AM]

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.

[Wwhat @ Mar 5th 2009 8:55AM]

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.

[Chad @ Mar 10th 2009 1:15PM]

What if all the tress were blown down or submerged in flood water?

[Wwhat @ Mar 10th 2009 4:12PM]

Aluminium pole :D

[Lorrie @ Mar 5th 2009 12:04PM]

Anything that will help in a disaster situation is at least worth a try. http://www.survivalstreet.com

[Wwhat @ Mar 5th 2009 8:00PM]

That's a very silly statement.