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...
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".
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.
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 ...
For those looking for a device strictly for reading, the new Kobo is a nice little option. It's small enough to slip into a pocket, can do more with a PDF than the competition, and at $129, it's $10 cheaper than both the Nook and Kindle WiFi.
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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 ...
@Isidith
Good point...I don't doubt that.
Aside: I actually wrote Moller about this product and one of their people actually wrote me back...
Very clever.
I think the news about DARPA's Transformer TX is more interesting and relevant.
Regards,
B---