Prox Dynamics' Black Hornet nano-copter gets demoed on video
By Donald Melanson 
posted Apr 18th 2009 7:28AM
posted Apr 18th 2009 7:28AM
Prox Dynamics' PD-100 "Black Hornet" nano-copter has already gone through a number of different prototypes and test flights, but it looks like things have really started to come together with the last few models, and the company has taken advantage of the opportunity to show off their progress in a couple of videos. One of those shows a "simulated" indoor mission, in which the 15 gram copter scouts out a nondescript office building whilst some suitably dramatic music plays in the background. The other, slightly more interesting video demonstrates how the two latest models are able to handle themselves in flight, and hold up against some obstacles, like the always problematic flapping clip board. Head on past the break to check 'em out for yourselves, and hit up the link below for some more information about the copter itself. Oh, and watch the skies, people. Very, very closely.
Cutest thing ever? Quite possibly!
My life will be complete when Pico Z gets cyclic pitch and another channel/axis of control
This thing has better cyclic pitch than the RAH66 COMANCHE. The part where he does sliding to the right and the left was awesom, but I just know this thing probably has $30,000 worth of gyro stabilization technology in it.
sweeeeet, i want!!! its like a very complicated version of a pico flyer
it looks like it handles very very nicely :)
at least when i compare it to my PicooZ copter
This looks fake to me. The copter is too in focus at all times and you can see at one point where the copter passes behind something that's actually outside the window.... why would they release this with a CG fake??
You're right, between 0:52-0:55 it looks like it goes around something that's in fact far outside. Unless that's just some really trick lighting affecting the camera, I have to think this is fake :(
That's the reflection in the internal glass partition.
On a camera you can select the focus to be 0,5 meter from the lens instead of autofocus. Since this is a fast moving object, they had to have manual focus.
That is not CG.
Yeah I was thinking it looked* fake too! =p
*I do not believe it is fake.
I bought one of these for $20 on ebay, except mine has flashing LEDs!
seriously, what does this do that the $20 ones on ebay don't do? Looks like it's the same size and speed, and while mine doesn't have a camera they do sell models that do for a bit more. Is this robotic, meaning can I say "ok helicopter, go do this" and it'll figure out how to fly down the hall and do it? Because the $20 ones are very difficult to get to fly across the room reliably and come back.
Oh and you can forget about stealth missions, mine sounds like a hairdryer.
ah, answered my own question. While it is radio controlled apparently it'll just sit and hover if you release from the controls as seen in this other video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feVoX26W6MU
That's very cool, have to keep an eye on this.
reminds me of Gibsons Mona Lisa Overdrive, anyone read this?
Walkera 4#3. nuff said.
You serioulsy think this is the same as a Walkera 4#3? I suggest both you and LiqrSicc get your eyes tested. Once you've got your new spectacles head over to the prox Dynamics web site to actually read about the R&D of the Hornet.
And as for arthur kendrick maybe if you put your brain in gear you'd realise that making a 'fake' of the Hornet in flight might just be a little bit like hard work and a little bit stupid for the developers.
I've always been surprised at how crap those cheapo miniature 'copters are. All the technology has been there for a while now. Glad someone put it together to make a great miniature heli.
This helicopter has amazing stability of flight! Control seems to me easy and accurate. I only wander would it be so stable and easy to control at windy place%u2026
Anyway, nice prototype!
O.
yeah with a cam, and a pmp, awesome
I think I'm in love
They got the camera allright. Now load it with a sleeping dart launcher and I'll get a few of these :P
Anyone knows how noisy this is? If discrete could make for some awesome jokes.
One step closer to a hunter-seeker device...
Nothin new. This looks like it's Walkera 4#3 re-brand with a camera attached. I've went through about 3 of these in the past year. These are difficult to control and are near impossible with any type of wind.
Searching for Walkera 4#3 comes up with what looks to be a bigger aircraft with a different style of rotor and blades.
This isn't the same.
Many applications for this technology.
Want so bad.
The Perverts Dream device.
Now when the girl next door is changing, no need to climb the tree to have a look, just send up the Black Hornet, set to hover and fap away
Ok so it's not the exactly the same as the 4#3. But the architecture is. Walkera is the innovators of these hobby grade micros. I've been buiding and flying these sub-micro heli's for the past 3 years so the technology isn't new. Being slightly smaller than the 4#3 will make it even harder to control a fixed-pitch.
Except it isn't a fixed pitch?
It is a fixed pitch. Just look at the swash. Theres no way this is a CP.
I like and wonder when it'll go into production for us Heli crazy folks. I have multiple picco z's but have been trying to get my hands on Silverlit's latest 4 ch piccoz. This looks so much like them I'll be surprised if Silverlit isn't their main funder.
Michael Scott would abuse this to no end.
Special Key customers will receive first shipment 2011. yeah not very now.
what's so 'nano' about it?
Does anyone happen to know the song on the 2nd video? Even the artist will do.
The song is called The Black Box, and is made by Norwegian artist Philter.
The song can be (legally) downloaded here: http://www11.nrk.no/urort/artist/Philter/default.aspx
Right click on "last ned" besides the song name and select "save link as".
Would be fun to play around with, but it's really not 'that' small. It's not like you can't see the damn thing fly past you and knock it down with a tennis racket.
The heli is sweet. But it doesn't look like it'll be sold to hobbyists...for military apps instead.
If you guys like small heli's, check out the Kyosho Caliber 120. It's 4ch and it's tiny! ..smaller than the Walkera and more controllable.
R
Awesome! I've been following Petter's work for many years, and this is just awesome. For all the naysayers, watch the second video, Try doing a hands off flight for that long with the Walkera heli. Also the bit when they are blowing air at it with the clipboard, while the heli stays stable.. very impressive!
I really don't think this is going to be very cheap compared to the other model wich is available now: "Ready to Fly Helicopter, Carbon fiber rotors (price US$ 3.000,-)".
If I remember right, this is aimed for military use.
Nice, but not something you'd REALLY get to play with.
OTOH, I've had one of these http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLH2200) for the last 6 months and it's amazing. A real helicopter, 8 inches long, with 4-channel digital radio, ready to fly ... and only $129. Flys like a dream, my 8 year old daughter was flying it in 2 minutes (and chasing the cats down the hall in 5). The Pico is a joke next to this.
We set up obstacle courses around the house and have helicopter "rallys."