Parrot AR.Drone hands-on: a quadricopter for the rest of us
By Sean Cooper 
posted January 7th 2010 12:37PM
posted January 7th 2010 12:37PM
The Parrot AR.Drone was definitely one of the highlights of our day; how can you top a quadricopter that can fight with another using augmented reality, is easy to fly, and only needs an iPhone to control it? You simply can't -- this is just pure joy and is exactly what a gadget should be: it's an electronic aircraft, has multiple cameras (two to be exact), uses WiFi for control (via an ad-hoc connection), and likely has more intelligence on board than a lunar lander. This early version can only be controlled via iPhone, or iPod touch, but Parrot's Henri Seydoux mentioned that it could be (and we're really hoping will be) controllable by BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and so on. The AR.Drone uses a pile of pretty sophisticated magic to enable it to fly -- those aforementioned cameras are just the start (one forward facing, one facing down running at 60 fps that allows stability in light wind) because you've also got two ultrasonic transmitters for vertical stability, a three-axis accelerometer, and a two-axis gyroscope paired with a single-axis yaw precision gyroscope for good measure. Needless to say, casual gamers and folks looking for a nice $30 gift need not apply. Read on for more impressions and video!
Control is really pretty simple: hit the take off button and the AR.Drone lifts off and then hovers at about 3 feet. The controls in the app include buttons to rotate left and right, a slider to climb, and a button that -- once pressed and held -- allows the iPhone to be tipped to tilt and fly the AR.Drone in any direction. If your WiFi connection drops while playing, the drove will stabilize and then land itself without damage or drama. Parrot's demo games are fun, too -- you can choose to fight against a computer opponent that you'll see on your iPhone's display (when you're shot, your drone actually rocks back and forth) or dogfight with a friend. Sadly, release date and pricing remain a mystery, but we're already lined up and we're not worrying about the cost. No doubt, this will be a contender for CES 2010's best remote controlled flying quadricopter, and deservedly so.
Video is set to private...
@KingJustin
Fail!
@KingJustin
yup.... still waiting...
@KingJustin : Pron vid
its...er...er...a...helicoptier!
@KingJustin
AMAZING>>> FLying cars here we come
so it comes with no remote?
@danhawk911
it does not
@danhawk911 Who needs a remote when the source is free and all you need to control it is a WiFi enabled computer. I have about four or five devices that should be able to control it already, especially my laptop. By not including a remote they are making the AR Drone more affordable, which for me is a major selling point.
CNET Live at CES is using screen grabs from Engadget in their stories.
http://cnettv.cnet.com/liveatces
Just saw the Lady GaGa article up there.
Sorry, that was completely off topic.
so it'll cost in the neighborhood of....?
@radicalxedward
if you have to ask, it's not for you
@radicalxedward Don't care... I'm buying one!
@radicalxedward
A decent RC helicopter will run you around $200. This guys got a couple of decent cameras on board but a more restricted flight distance and no controller. It appears to have a decent surveillance setup out of the box and because of that they may try to market it that way but would most likely fail. If they do go that direction I would guess it would be priced around $500-$600. If they actually want to sell a few of these I would think $250-$350 might be a sweet spot. Let's just hope they've done their due diligence on pricing or the only way many of us are going to enjoy this thing is through Mr. Jones' YouTube video postings.
@DaveBach - Coaxial helis are easy to fly, but nothing like this and you still have to find a vibration free camera mount and feed.
Theres the Draganflyer X6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34No-71KJKs
But for most peeps, budget/fun wise for better outdoor performance is to just use a slow elapor foam parkflyer. =)
How much does it cost?
"and likely has more intelligence on board than a lunar lander"
Something tells me the Apollo astronauts would be want to disagree with you here.
@hajihill Read up on exactly what electronics were present in the lunar lander. Most graphing calculators have "more intelligence on board than a lunar lander". Now then, if you're including the intelligence of the pilots themselves in that arguement, then, yes, you are right. If you're talking about the power of the electronics on board, then you'd be very surprised at how underpowered the equipment they used was.
@hajihill then they would be wrong. The apollo computers were pretty simple, actually. This thing definitely has more technology (especially when you couple it with any device you want via the SDK)
@hajihill
Apparently the guidance systems on the Appolo lander was about as clever as your common home appliance and the entire lander about equivalent to a cell phone.
@heltoupee @adma84
i believe he was referring to the intelligence of the astronauts themselves.
@xkaosu9x and all
Yes, of course, I was referring to the astronauts own intelligence and how the sentence was phrased.
To my knowledge we haven't managed to create a technological intelligence yet, but, of course, I understand what was intended.
@hajihill
Something tells me you haven't looked into this yourself. Most advanced calculators have more computing power and any smart phone has way more computing power than the Apollo computers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
how much , quanto ? where can i buy in the uk please ?
If you're going into a niche market like this WHY limit it to a further niche market (iPhone owners). It would be so much better to have a dedicated gyro controller with longer range since 1) the iPhone and most all other smartphones lack any serious WiFi transmission power and 2) will open this product up to any individual regardless of what phone they own (or don't own)
Another one of those companies to go belly-up in 2010.
@Accidental
1. its not limited to iPhone, they simply aren't developing the apps for other devices. 2. No remote == less expensive (theoretically). 3. The same "niche" market that would purchase/has the money for this probably has an iPhone/Touch or another similar device (see 1.).
@credo
'aren't developing the apps for other devices' is the same is limiting the flying contraption to iPhone/Touch owners. Will they develop for other devices in the future with gyro features? Who knows.
I don't think a controller would be too much more. Think of a Wii Remote. Just replace Bluetooth with WiFi, change the form factor and add some amperage and you're looking at $10 to $15 in production costs.
Sucks cause I like this thing and I don't want an iPhone or Touch. Just give me a remote! (or at least charge a little extra for one)
What's next? A dishwasher that is controlled by your phone?
@Accidental
OH BTW the video is on CNN.com and a lot of other sites =)
@Accidental
What I mean is PARROT won't be producing the apps themselves. However they are making the APIs available to all and should be releasing the source code for the iPod app to make it easy for devs to port over, to say, Android devices. This is meant for the open source(ish)/tweaker community.
@Accidental
You missed the open source platform reference at the end of the video then. It isn't just the iProduct that can control it. It's anything with wifi. The source and spec are available, so how long before a bunch of people make their own control programs..
I've got $500 that says its mine. No way it'll be more than that, right... right?
Don't forgot about the French company "Int13" who create the Augmented Reality motor. Nothing will be possible without them.
http://bit.ly/4DIgsJ
All company is able to made a Drone with rotor but the Augmented Reality software, no ;-)
i want to know if its an ad-hoc wifi connection or through a network. the later would be pointless
@shryx86
i agree, an infrastructure mode wifi connection would be really limited/ pointless.
but imagine if a future iteration had an assignable IP address, and an internet connection on board (via e.g. a rocketstick), then you could control one over the net - which would just be scandalous!
@shryx86
The latter wouldn't be pointless. You'd be able to control the device from work to look around the house...which...would...be...pointless...ok, nevermind. LOL.
@shryx86 i can see how it would be useful to have it work over a network, but that would become a bit more than recreational use. you would have you travel to the location to place the drone anyway unless you're really lucky and have one of those free city internet services. imagine losing your connection on the other side of the city. the plane just auto lands...
Looks fun to fly .
Come on Engadget, we want to see the video...
@adma84
There is a WHOLE BUNCH on YouTube:
http://ardrone.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/videos/#player
I personally think these guys are "demoing" this technology with an iPhone for grander schemes - to have their IP bought out by a bigger fish. They are saying, hey, this thing is so simple that your everyday iPhone can control it - can you imagine what you could do with this as a full size UAV and satellite technology? Seriously, a Government contract (or research grant) is what all these micro UAV kiddies are after. R/C or WiFi controlled aeroplanes (flying vehicles) look cute but the technology behind them is something fierce...
@Chaosdivine
Nice avatar pic - I have the same lamp and my walls are about the same color!
@Phen
ahhh, now I see it.
@Phen
Just remember to wash your hands when you're done ;)
I will never look at a lamp the same way again...*sigh*
@Chaosdivine
Oh, and Hollywood & the film industry as well as police, sports teams, TV, are interested too...
This micro UAV is the most "mature" and simple device I've ever seen...someone's going to come knocking.
@Chaosdivine
Is it just me or does this look like something that should be on Make or Instructibles? The fact they are trying to sell it is almost funny.
@KingJustin you obviously don't know a lot about technology or R&D...
@KingJustin
Well possibly, but I am thinking a little bit further down the line. Yes, they are marketing it at kids primarily but for them to REALLY make money, they need to scale this technology up to R/C size (gas motors and such). If they could do that, then they will be taken a lot more seriously. The technology they have crammed into that sucker is awesome. Hell, there is a guy named Moller who has spent $200 million on something sort of similar (SkyCar - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moller_Skycar_M400). Its fine and dandy to push these on kids and us nerdies but if I wanted to get rich, I would be getting serious about taking this product to the "next level".
@adma84
I second that...The formulas involved in the aerodynamics to keep it in a stationary hover alone are difficult, not to mention the lack of DIY gyroscope capability.
@Arimanio
I don't disagree. It just doesn't impress me that much, we have been seeing this kind of thing for years. Moller has been working on his deal for what, 20 years? If they sell this thing for cheap ($100-150) then I will be impressed.
@Chaosdivine Maybe Parrot's business is not primarly aimed at us nerds and games. All the buzz around this device and the fact that everyone sees what they're capable of is defenetly good for their OEM business ...