Cyber Technology's UAV perches, stares, makes us a little uncomfortable (Update: now with video!)

We've seen UAVs that hover in the past, but if you're looking for something that eschews rotors for nearly silent ducted fans, you'll need to get your hands on the cyberQuad by Cyber Technology. The fans don't produce sparks (which is why this thing was recently tested with much success in an extended survey of an offshore drilling platform / oil rig damaged by fire), and its "perch and stare" capabilities mean that it can find a stable spot and sit unattended -- not only saving battery time that would otherwise be lost by hovering in place, but taking it all in with whatever video equipment / sensors the operator might have placed on-board. Just the thing for sniffing out enemy combatants and relaying the info to your One Force Tracker-equipped iPhone, perhaps? Get a closer look after the break. [Warning: PDF source link]

Update: Thanks to Randers for hooking us up with some video of the thing in action. It still makes us a little uncomfortable, all that staring...

[Rizzo Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:20PM]

Looks like something out of Metal Gear Solid!

[Blackstar Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:30PM]

@Rizzo

Does it come with a cardboard box you can hide in too?

[Rizzo Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:40PM]

@Blackstar
!

[eugeneaction Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:45PM]

@Rizzo you mean Bad Company 2?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vu5Cg1-nI8&feature=related

[MJGAMER 1991 XBL Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:05PM]

@Rizzo More like GRAW2

[GN1 Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:51PM]

@Rizzo "UVA ONLINE"

[GN1 Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:51PM]

@Rizzo "UAV ONLINE"

[GN1 Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:51PM]

@(Unverified) "UAV -_-"

[Blackstar Posted Dec 17th 2009 10:44PM]

@Rizzo

I can see the ads now...

"Our peeping-tom technology is lightyears ahead of the competition. Never have to climb a tree with those heavy binoculars ever again! Spy on the neighbors from the comfort of your very own home."

[drumdbeat Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:21PM]

Do Want.

[Abdel Posted Dec 17th 2009 8:15PM]

@drumdbeat Do want if it's not this LOUD

[Ma2T Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:26PM]

1) Want to see a video!
2) Want one for myself!

[Randers Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:37PM]

@Ma2T

video found here

http://uav.at-communication.com/en/at/at_quad_uav.html

[eugeneaction Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:33AM]

@Randers nice... how long until SurviverMan gets to use this on his show?

[rotorscope Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:44AM]

@Ma2T
probably we can help you too :)
www.rotorscope.eu
you'll find video and other footage too.

cheers - robert

[Eternity Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:27PM]

Dear Military,
Encrypt the video feed this time plz.

K. Thnx. Bye

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:40PM]

Dear Engadget,

One of these givin away in a recession antidote would kick-ass.


Sincerely,
THE INTERNETS

[Wwhat Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:04PM]

They claim the recession is over, so hah

[dtach Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:36PM]

I really want this, how much?

[joelaf Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:40PM]

If this thing will blow the leaves off my roof without me climbing a ladder, please send me one.

[eugeneaction Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:42PM]

"UAV perches, stares, makes us a little uncomfortable"

thats what she said...

[Quiglag Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:07PM]

There has been a toy version of this for years. http://www.hobbytron.com/SilverLit-X-UFO-RC-Flying-Machine-RTR-with-4-Motors.html

[napdaddy Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:27PM]

UAV online!

[bcswartz Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:44PM]

These could be awesome for a number of uses, not just military/fire/rescue. You could use them to record sporting events, including sports that aren't always camera-friendly (like kayaking or mountain biking). You've got all these TV reporters who are now one-man news teams, doing their own camera work: design these UAVs to follow them like a puppy dog and point the camera wherever the mic is pointing.

[Wwhat Posted Dec 17th 2009 5:00PM]

Assuming those events last no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.

[soupisgoodfood Posted Dec 17th 2009 10:31PM]

@Wwhat

If you had enough of them, batteries, etc., you could make sure you always had one in the sky. Not everyone needs a completely uninterrupted shot.

Still not suitable everything, of course.

[Wwhat Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:09PM]

@soupisgoodfood
True true, and you'd create a job for a UAV swapper :D

[Prowl Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:47PM]

Much better!
http://www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter/draganflyer-x6/gallery/videos/

[Andr Posted Dec 17th 2009 4:00PM]

@(Unverified) It makes more noise though...

[barry99705 Posted Dec 17th 2009 6:52PM]

@Andr I bet this one is just as loud.

[barry99705 Posted Dec 17th 2009 6:58PM]

@Andr Draganflyer -- Approx Sound at 3m (9.84ft): 60dB
cyberquad -- 65dBA @ 3m

[brothaa Posted Dec 17th 2009 7:01PM]

@(Unverified) http://www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter/draganflyer-x6/gallery/videos/

that website crashed chrome

probably due to the piece of crap flash player

[barry99705 Posted Dec 17th 2009 11:52PM]

@(Unverified) Now if I only had $13,000US to buy one....

[Silverfox1000 Posted Dec 17th 2009 4:01PM]

Don't worry about you privacy when this thing hovers over your fence. Just hit it a couple of times with your crowbar Freeman it'll come down.

[Silverfox1000 Posted Dec 17th 2009 4:02PM]

Don't worry about your privacy when this thing hovers over your fence. Just hit it a couple of times with your crowbar Freeman it'll come down.

[nabberuk Posted Dec 17th 2009 4:23PM]

think i may be heading for a mid life crisis at the age of 24, i really want to try and build one of them....

[Information Central Posted Dec 17th 2009 6:26PM]

How does that equate to a mid-life crisis?

[nabberuk Posted Dec 17th 2009 6:33PM]

@Information Central

i'm only going to live till im 48?

[nabberuk Posted Dec 17th 2009 6:34PM]

@nabberuk

or do you mean why wanting to build one would mean a mid life crisis?

[jsjohnson Posted Dec 17th 2009 4:28PM]

But Blue Thunder had all these cool features and it existed 20 years ago.

[Wwhat Posted Dec 17th 2009 5:03PM]

Can someone finally also point out a link to a home privacy defender to take these things out, and suitable for areas where you can't use a regular gun/rifle please.

I guess you could use a potato cannon, but they lack precision if that thing is 60 meters up.

[jasev01 Posted Dec 17th 2009 5:34PM]

Honestly are these not remote control airplanes with cameras?

[barry99705 Posted Dec 17th 2009 6:54PM]

@jasev01 Yes, what's your point?

[Wwhat Posted Dec 17th 2009 9:51PM]

Yes and no, they have to remain stable and be able to hover on one point while carrying a package, so it's specialized remote control planes.

[fcmmaddog Posted Dec 17th 2009 6:44PM]

Enemy UAV Spotted!!

But that thing wouldnt stand a chance against my javelin.

[DougieBear Posted Dec 17th 2009 9:34PM]

@fcmmaddog Thats what she said!

[devitus Posted Dec 17th 2009 6:58PM]

This will be extremely unstable on the big altitudes due to the small weight. Cannot see a model this small being used for military purposes.

[yode Posted Dec 17th 2009 7:38PM]

UAV is online.
BARACK O BEE!

[Xcelerate Posted Dec 17th 2009 11:01PM]

Ohh.. I want one so badly!!!

[Zee Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:59AM]

Readies Shotgun...

PULL!