CyPhyWorks
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Creator of the Roomba robotic cleaner is making a drone
Over the next few years, the market for consumer-facing drones is going to continue growing. And, as they say, the more the merrier. Enter CyPhy LVL 1, a sleek drone brought to you by the co-designer of the Roomba, iRobot's renowned robotic vacuum cleaner, Helen Greiner. She's now the CEO of CyPhy Works, which is a company that focuses on creating aerial robots -- albeit not for hobbyists. But that's about to change soon with its CyPhy LVL 1. Launched via Kickstarter, it is said to be the first drone for everyone, from young kids to old people, featuring a smartphone-based, swipe-to-fly remote interface, instant sharing of captured footage to social networks and geo-fencing.
Tiny tethered drone gives soldiers a view of the dangers ahead
Drones already give troops valuable data about enemies and devastated areas, but the existing vehicles have their limits; big aerial drones can't see inside buildings, and their ground-based counterparts can't get over rough terrain. Well, CyPhy Works might just have reached a happy balance between those two extremes. It recently signed a deal with the US Air Force to produce the Extreme Access Pocket Flyer, a very tiny UAV (it weighs just 2.8oz) that sends HD video to soldiers for up to two hours. The key to its portability is a 250-foot microfilament tether that delivers both power and data -- bulkier gear like batteries will stay with the soldier. This has the upshot of adding reliability and security, since there's no wireless signal subject to interference or jamming.
