Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Laser-toting MAV can find its way in tight spaces, might eventually hunt you down (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/laser-toting-mav-can-find-its-way-in-tight-spaces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/laser-toting-mav-can-find-its-way-in-tight-spaces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/17/laser-toting-mav-can-find-its-way-in-tight-spaces/#comments Image

A perpetual weakness of MAVs (micro air vehicles) is their frequent need for hand-holding in anything other than a wide-open or very controlled space. If they're not using GPS or motion sensors to find their locations, they can't turn on a dime the way a human pilot would. Adam Bry, Abraham Bachrash and Nicholas Roy from MIT's CSAIL group haven't overcome every problem just yet, but they may have taken combat drones and other pilotless aircraft a big step forward by giving them the tools needed to fly quickly when positioning isn't an option. Uniting a laser rangefinder with an existing 3D map of the environment -- still 'cheating,' but less dependent -- lets the prototype flyer find the distance to nearby obstacles and steer clear even at speeds that would scare any mere mortal MAV. Ideally, future designs that can create their own maps will be completely independent of humans, making us think that MIT's references to "aggressive" autonomous flight are really cues to start hiding under the bed.

Continue reading Laser-toting MAV can find its way in tight spaces, might eventually hunt you down (video)

Laser-toting MAV can find its way in tight spaces, might eventually hunt you down (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftairplaneairplanesautonomousautonomous flying robotsautonomous vehiclesAutonomousFlyingRobotsAutonomousVehiclesCSAILdronedroneslaserlasersmavmicro air vehicleMicro Air VehiclesMicroAirVehicleMicroAirVehiclesmitRangeFinderrobust robotics groupRobustRoboticsGroupvideowargadgetThu, 17 May 2012 06:54:00 EST<![CDATA[The E382 Aerial Mapping Airplane touts unmanned cartography, ready-to-fly drone kit starting at $600]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/e382-aerial-mapping-airplane-uav/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/e382-aerial-mapping-airplane-uav/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/e382-aerial-mapping-airplane-uav/#comments The E382 Aerial Mapping Airplane touts unmaned cartography, ready-to-fly drone kit starting at $600

Find yourself needing custom aerial maps on the regular? Is Google just not doing the trick when it comes to resolution? Well, the folks at Event 38 have got you covered. The outfit's model E382 photomapping UAV kit is now available for $600. Included in that price tag is a pre-assembled Skywalker airframe, 1250 kV brushless motor, motor speed controller, 4x servos, all the requisite cables and the ArduPilot Mega 2.0 autopilot system -- which handles GPS, flight data logs and pressure monitoring. In terms of performance, the drone cruises at a speed of 25MPH with a flight time of around an hour on a 5000mAh battery. The E382 makes use of a point and shoot camera to handle the cartography duties. You can use your own, or Canon A2200s are available for adding on to the kit at checkout. However, you will need to throw down some extra coin for the aforementioned flight battery and a controller. If you've got some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, hit the source link below to snag one.

The E382 Aerial Mapping Airplane touts unmanned cartography, ready-to-fly drone kit starting at $600 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameracontrolcontrollerdiy dronesDiyDronesdroneevent 38Event38gpsmappingmapsuasuavunmaned aerial vehicleunmaned aircraftunmaned aircraft systemUnmanedAerialVehicleUnmanedAircraftUnmanedAircraftSystemThu, 03 May 2012 16:56:00 EST<![CDATA[US Navy Fire Scouts will automatically spot pirates, give 30 seconds to comply]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/08/us-navy-fire-scouts-will-automatically-spot-pirates-give-30-sec/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/08/us-navy-fire-scouts-will-automatically-spot-pirates-give-30-sec/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/08/us-navy-fire-scouts-will-automatically-spot-pirates-give-30-sec/#comments US Navy Fire Scouts will automatically spot pirates, give 30 seconds to complyWar. What is it good for? Well, if new use of technology by the US Navy has anything to do with it, finding Pirates for a start. By upgrading its existing Fire Scouts with new 3D laser imaging tech, it's hoped that the drones will be able to recognize the small ships used by these unscrupulous seafarers. The system, known as LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging, also known as LADAR) uses millions of laser pulses reflected off an object to create the three-dimensional image, which could then referenced against known pirate ships from a database. Ultimately, human operators will make the final call, to avoid any ED-209 style mis-understandings. That said, if you're taking the dingy out past the Californian breakwaters this summer, you might want to keep the stars and stripes in clear view, as that's where the Navy will be running its initial trials.

US Navy Fire Scouts will automatically spot pirates, give 30 seconds to comply originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d image3dImagearmydefensedroneFire ScoutFireScoutLADARlaserLIDARmilitaryMQ-8MQ-8 Fire ScoutMq-8FireScoutMQ-9navypiratesreaperrobotrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypseuacuavunmanned aerial vehicleunmanned aircraftUnmannedAerialVehicleUnmannedAirUnmannedAircraftus navyUsNavywargadgetSun, 08 Apr 2012 09:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Parrot AR.Drone joins with Epson Moverio BT-100: UAV gets down with HMD (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/parrot-ar-drone-joins-forces-with-epson-moverio-bt-100-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/parrot-ar-drone-joins-forces-with-epson-moverio-bt-100-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/parrot-ar-drone-joins-forces-with-epson-moverio-bt-100-video/#comments Parrot AR.Drone matches forces with Epson Moverio to create augmented reality supergroup (video)Let's say you've explored all the abandoned cathedrals in your hometown and have decimated all comers on the virtual battlefield -- if your interest in the Parrot AR.Drone has begun to wane, then take a gander at this bit of handiwork from Thomas Sohmers and dream of what could be. Essentially, he's taken the popular UAV from Parrot and has combined it with a transparent, head-mounted display that allows one to simultaneously view the AR.Drone and an overlay of its video feed. More than just a set of glasses, the Epson Moverio BT-100 was ideal for the task as it also features a handheld controller that just so happens to run Android. While Sohmers has met with good success in combining the two devices, the product isn't quite ready for mass consumption -- for example, it's said the AR.Drone can only rotate and move vertically at this point. While you'll have to use a bit of your imagination for the heads-up display component, you can find a demonstration of Sohmers' creation in a video after the break.

Continue reading Parrot AR.Drone joins with Epson Moverio BT-100: UAV gets down with HMD (video)

Parrot AR.Drone joins with Epson Moverio BT-100: UAV gets down with HMD (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidar.dronear.pursuitaugmented realityAugmentedRealityavailabledownloaddroneepsonEpson Moverio BT-100EpsonMoverioBt-100gamehelicoptermoverio bt-100MoverioBt-100parrotrcrc helicopterRcHelicopterremote controlRemoteControluavvideoFri, 09 Mar 2012 07:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Lehmann Aviation's LFPV UAV packs GPS, autopilot, 11MP cam, 1080p video, yours for $2,352]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/lehmann-aviations-lfpv-uav-packs-gps-autopilot-11mp-cam-1080/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/lehmann-aviations-lfpv-uav-packs-gps-autopilot-11mp-cam-1080/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/lehmann-aviations-lfpv-uav-packs-gps-autopilot-11mp-cam-1080/#comments
Sure, an AR.Drone 2.0 will afford you 720p HD video recording in the skies for just 300 dollars, but how does 1080p with 11 megapixels of sensor sound in comparison? That's exactly what Lehmann Aviation is offering on its new LFPV civil UAV. This $2,352 (1790€) kit is far less expensive than the company's $17K LP960 from a few years back, but it certainly isn't lacking in the drool inducing features department -- and yes, it'll capture straight up photographs, too. Apart from letting you conduct reconnaissance of your local strip mall, the LFPV packs a "live data connection" to keep you informed about its GPS coordinates and altitude, among others things, like how soon you'll need to recharge. Better yet, it uses the same Ground Control System as Lehmann's other flyers (perfect for when it's time to upgrade), offering an 800 x 480 live video stream of your journey and total control of where you're piloting the aircraft. Best of all, the LFPV even packs autopilot if you need to take a break from the controls . We'd be remiss not to point out Eye3's $999 bring-your-own-camera hexicopter for those already equipped with a beefy ILC shooter, but if the LFPV is right up (or over) your alley, you'll find a full press release and video just past the break.

Continue reading Lehmann Aviation's LFPV UAV packs GPS, autopilot, 11MP cam, 1080p video, yours for $2,352

Lehmann Aviation's LFPV UAV packs GPS, autopilot, 11MP cam, 1080p video, yours for $2,352 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p11 megapixel11 mp11Megapixel11Mp800 x 480800X480aerial photographyaerial videoAerialPhotographyAerialVideoautopilotdronegcsgpsground control systemGroundControlSystemlehmannlehmann aviationlehmann aviation lfpv uavLehmannAviationLehmannAviationLfpvUavlfpvlfpv uavLfpvUavphotographyuavunmanned aerial vehicleunmanned dronesUnmannedAerialVehicleUnmannedDronesvideoWQVGAThu, 16 Feb 2012 20:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Acrobatic quadrocopters hunt in packs, seduce you into submission (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/acrobatic-quadrocopters-fly-in-hypnotic-formation/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/acrobatic-quadrocopters-fly-in-hypnotic-formation/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/acrobatic-quadrocopters-fly-in-hypnotic-formation/#comments
We've kept a pretty stern eye on the development of GRASP Lab's quadrocopters, and with good reason it seems, now that the four-bladed aerial ninjas have even more alarming abilities at their disposal. In the video after the break, watch them hold a variety of complex formations like it's no thing -- even while on the move. The 'copters can also take flight, or resume position, after being thrown into the air, navigating real world obstacles with deft fluidity. It's part of University of Pennsylvania's Scalable sWarms of Autonomous Robots and Mobile Sensors project (conveniently SWARMS for short), which is responsible for developing the air-born acrobats' new grouping skills. They say it's an attempt to replicate swarming habits in nature, though we're not convinced.

Continue reading Acrobatic quadrocopters hunt in packs, seduce you into submission (video)

Acrobatic quadrocopters hunt in packs, seduce you into submission (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botbotsconstructioncopterdronedronesgrasp labGraspLabgroupnano quadrotorsNanoQuadrotorsquadrocopterquadrotorresearchrobocopterrobotrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypserobotsSWARMteamworkuniversityuniversity of pennsylvaniaUniversityOfPennsylvaniavideoWed, 01 Feb 2012 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[eye3 hexicopter helps your DSLR take flight for $999]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/eye3-hexicopter-helps-your-dslr-take-flight-for-999/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/eye3-hexicopter-helps-your-dslr-take-flight-for-999/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/eye3-hexicopter-helps-your-dslr-take-flight-for-999/#comments Your camera wants to take flight -- trust us, it does -- and an ambitious new project aims to make your DSLR's aeronautic ambitions a reality. The eye3 hexacopter is a six-armed carbon-fiber unmanned arial vehicle (UAV) that hopes to make aerial photography accessible to the masses. Designed by a couple with a hankering for robotics, the flying machine is modular (for easy repair) and navigates using a combination of Google Maps and open-source code. Those without a pilot license need not worry: the eye3 utilizes the oft-improving APM2 software for a "compact yet powerful" autopilot experience. The UAV can carry a payload of five to ten pounds, boasts three CPUs and has a 350-watt motor strapped to each tentacle. Fly past the break to watch a video from eye3's creators... get to the choppa'!

Continue reading eye3 hexicopter helps your DSLR take flight for $999

eye3 hexicopter helps your DSLR take flight for $999 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerialAPM2autopilotcameradroneDSLReye3eye3 hexacopterEye3HexacopterflightflyingGoogleGoogle MapsGoogleMapshelicopterhexacopterimageKickstarteropenopen sourceOpenSourcephotographyremotesoftwaresourceUAVvideoTue, 24 Jan 2012 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 full details leaked, 720p camera and new flight modes?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/parrot-ar-drone-2.0-leakedd/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/parrot-ar-drone-2.0-leakedd/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/parrot-ar-drone-2.0-leakedd/#comments Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 full details leaked, 720p camera and new flight modes? It was hard to miss the "2.0" branding over at Parrot's little aerodrome here at CES, but with nary a detail we were left speculation what the new major version number means. Now, though, we have some more details. A lot more details, actually. Over at AR Drone Flyers we've spotted what looks to be an official press release detailing everything about the new UAV, most notable being an improved 720p camera. You can apparently use this to record footage from the drone and even program it to fly in any direction automatically. In other words, this could be the low-cost aerial camera DIY extreme sports filmmakers have waited for. And, at $299 when it ships in Q2, it'll be quite close to affordable. You can check out a picture of the new drone above and read the full details in the seemingly official press release below.

[Thanks, Symon Davis]

Continue reading Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 full details leaked, 720p camera and new flight modes?

Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 full details leaked, 720p camera and new flight modes? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>720paerial cameraAerialCameraar.dronear.drone 2.0Ar.drone2.0cesces 2012Ces2012dronehdleakleakedparrotuavSun, 08 Jan 2012 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Quadrocopters don creepy eyes, build synthetic Christmas tree of envy (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/30/quadrocopters-don-creepy-eyes-build-synthetic-christmas-tree-of/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/30/quadrocopters-don-creepy-eyes-build-synthetic-christmas-tree-of/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/30/quadrocopters-don-creepy-eyes-build-synthetic-christmas-tree-of/#comments First we let them play music, then they started juggling. Now quadrocopters are feeling emotions as well; namely, jealousy. One of Flying Machine Arena's dainty quadrocopters, nicknamed Juliet, was compelled to build its own synthetic Christmas tree after spying an authentic fir through a glass window. Sure, stacked bricks of festive foam seem innocent enough, but look into those ping-pong ball eyes and tell us you aren't a little worried that next year's "war on Christmas" will be the machine's war on humans. Fly past the break to see Juliet's envious construction project for yourself.

Continue reading Quadrocopters don creepy eyes, build synthetic Christmas tree of envy (video)

Quadrocopters don creepy eyes, build synthetic Christmas tree of envy (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiChristmasChristmas TreeChristmasTreedroneethflying machineFlying Machine ArenaFlyingMachineFlyingMachineArenaquadrocopterquadrotorrobotRobotApocalypsevideoFri, 30 Dec 2011 03:50:00 EST<![CDATA[It's not a flying fish, it's a submarine-launched UAV]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/28/its-not-a-flying-fish-its-a-submarine-launched-uav/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/28/its-not-a-flying-fish-its-a-submarine-launched-uav/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/28/its-not-a-flying-fish-its-a-submarine-launched-uav/#comments VTOL may be old news already, but here's another great USP for any UAV: the ability to launch from a submerged submarine. The technology is still in development, but the Navy wants to try it from periscope depth during exercises in the Pacific Ocean next year. If all goes to plan, a Switchblade folding-wing drone will be ejected from the submarine's trash disposal unit and then carried to the surface by an SLV ('submerged launch vehicle'), which will keep it dry, point it into the wind and then hurl it heavenwards so it can go a-snooping. Whether the experiment succeeds or fails, we've glimpsed a worrying possibility: submarines are capable of dumping their trash right into the ocean. Until now, we sort of assumed they took it home with them.

It's not a flying fish, it's a submarine-launched UAV originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AeroVironmentAeroVironment SwitchbladeAerovironmentSwitchbladedronemilitarymilitary exerciseMilitaryExerciseNavyRaytheonrimpacRIMPAC 2012Rimpac2012SLVspy planeSpyPlanesubmarinesubmerged launch vehicleSubmergedLaunchVehicleSwitchbladeUAVunderwaterunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehiclewargadgetWed, 28 Dec 2011 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[US Army's A160 Hummingbird drone-copter to don 1.8 gigapixel camera]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/us-armys-a160-hummingbird-drone-copter-to-don-1-8-gigapixel-cam/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/us-armys-a160-hummingbird-drone-copter-to-don-1-8-gigapixel-cam/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/us-armys-a160-hummingbird-drone-copter-to-don-1-8-gigapixel-cam/#comments Starting in July of 2012, the United States Army will deploy three Boeing A160 Hummingbird drones to Afghanistan as part of a one-year trial program. Unlike the Predator drones already in combat, the A160 is a rotor-based aircraft capable of vertical take-offs and landings. What's more, the craft will be affixed with the DARPA-developed ARGUS-IS imaging system -- which boasts a 1.8 gigapixel camera the Army says can "track people and vehicles from altitudes above 20,000 feet." The A160 Hummingbird platform will provide the Army with the ability and flexibility to: take off and land without a runway; fly for twelve hours or more without refueling; and monitor up to 65 enemies of the State simultaneously. Test flights of the unmanned chopper are scheduled for early 2012 in Arizona, but residents hoping to get a glimpse of the A160 in action best have great eyesight -- the ARGUS-IS system can see targets from almost 25 miles down range. Oh, and don't forget to smile when you look up. You want to look your best for the eye in the sky, right?

US Army's A160 Hummingbird drone-copter to don 1.8 gigapixel camera originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.8 gigapixel1.8GigapixelA160a160 hummingbirdA160HummingbirdARGUSargus-isarmedArmyDARPAdroneforcesgigapixelhelicopterStatesUAVUnitedUnited StatesUnitedStatesunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehicleus armyUsArmyvertical takeoff and landingVerticalTakeoffAndLandingvtolVTOL-UASwargadgetTue, 27 Dec 2011 23:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Drone Station lets you pilot an AR.Drone with your Mac]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/drone-station-lets-you-pilot-an-ar-drone-with-your-mac/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/drone-station-lets-you-pilot-an-ar-drone-with-your-mac/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/drone-station-lets-you-pilot-an-ar-drone-with-your-mac/#comments Drone Station for Mac Drone Station won't actually have you tilting your MacBook to pilot the recreational quadrocopter around your hood but, when neither the little, small, wee smartphone nor the great, huge Surface will do -- a mid-sized laptop may be just right. The on screen HUD displays all the information you'll need to accurately fly the AR.Drone and the app is compatible with a broad array of external controllers, including the Wii Nunchuk and Balance Board. While you're using a game pad to soar through the sky, your computer can actually record video from the UAV's on-board cameras, so you can document your hijinks or perform some reconnaissance on that shady neighbor kid. Hit up the source link for more info and check out the Mac App Store to download it now for $10.

Drone Station lets you pilot an AR.Drone with your Mac originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappsar dronear.droneArDroneDroneDrone Appsdrone stationDroneAppsDroneStationmac os xMacOsXos xOsXparrotparrot ar.droneParrotAr.dronequadrocopterremote controlRemoteControlTue, 27 Dec 2011 04:41:00 EST<![CDATA[First manned multicopter takes flight, brave human sits amidst blades (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/first-manned-multicopter-takes-flight-brave-human-sits-amidst-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/first-manned-multicopter-takes-flight-brave-human-sits-amidst-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/first-manned-multicopter-takes-flight-brave-human-sits-amidst-b/#comments What could have ended in human chop suey, instead resulted in victory for German engineers at e-volo as they successfully completed the first manned flight of an electric multicopter. The human death trap multicopter uses multiple mini helicopters to lift the passenger upwards -- who's snuggled in the center of the carnage, firmly strapped to a squishy exercise ball. Like an UAV, the hovering device is controlled via radio control from the ground -- talk about trusting. The passenger was able to hold on for one minute and 30-second of flight victory, causing raucous celebrations from the Wright brothers in aviation heaven. Click past the break for the video.

Continue reading First manned multicopter takes flight, brave human sits amidst blades (video)

First manned multicopter takes flight, brave human sits amidst blades (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dronee-vologermangermanyhelicopterhelicoptersmanned flightMannedFlightmulticoptermulticoptersRCuavuav and dronesUavAndDronesUAVsunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehiclevideoTue, 01 Nov 2011 21:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Mesa Robotics' mini-tank is perfectly happy on point (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/22/mesa-robotics-mini-tank-is-perfectly-happy-on-point-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/22/mesa-robotics-mini-tank-is-perfectly-happy-on-point-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/22/mesa-robotics-mini-tank-is-perfectly-happy-on-point-video/#comments The Acer ground-bot from Mesa Robotics does way more than your average 4,500-pound semi-autonomous mule. In addition to carrying kit and providing that extra bit of ballistic steel-deflecting cover, it also scans for IEDs using ground-penetrating radar and then autonomously switches into "flail" mode when it finds one -- digging up and detonating that critter with barely a break in its 6MPH stride. Did we mention it also acts as a landing pad for small drones? No? That's because the video after the break says it all. Cue obligatory guitars, game controllers and armchair gung-ho.

Continue reading Mesa Robotics' mini-tank is perfectly happy on point (video)

Mesa Robotics' mini-tank is perfectly happy on point (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Acerautonomousautonomous vehicleautonomous vehiclesAutonomousVehicleAutonomousVehiclesbombbomb disposalBombDisposaldiffusedroneflailground-botIEDIEDsMesa RoboticsMesa Robotics AcerMesaRoboticsMesaRoboticsAcermilitarymini-tankroboticssemi-autonomoustankvideowargadgetSat, 22 Oct 2011 04:57:00 EST<![CDATA[German video effects company builds camera drone for the Red Epic]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/german-video-effects-company-builds-camera-drone-for-the-red-epi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/german-video-effects-company-builds-camera-drone-for-the-red-epi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/german-video-effects-company-builds-camera-drone-for-the-red-epi/#comments
Red Epic + Flying drone = The sort of geek math you can't help but wish you'd come up with yourself. German VFX company OMStudios decided to mount Red's super-camera into a custom Octocopter to record footage in resolutions up to 5K. As cool as the setup is, there's a practical purpose: not only is it far cheaper than renting a crane, it can also climb up to 150 meters -- making it just high enough to fly over Hollywood's tallest man, Tom Cruise. Since it's highly unlikely we'll ever get to play with one of these, we'll just have to point you to the video after the break and hope that no catastrophic power failures take place halfway through any real-world shoots.

[Thanks, Jeremias]

Continue reading German video effects company builds camera drone for the Red Epic

German video effects company builds camera drone for the Red Epic originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aerial PhotographyAerialPhotographyCameraCamera DroneCameraDroneDroneDronesFlyingFlying CameraFlying RobotFlyingCameraFlyingRobotOctocopterOM-CopterOMStudiosRedRed EpicRed Epic 5KRedEpicRedEpic5kvideoTue, 11 Oct 2011 02:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists build WiFi hunter-killer drone and call it SkyNET... Viene Tormenta!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/10/scientists-build-wifi-hunter-killer-drone-and-call-it-skynet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/10/scientists-build-wifi-hunter-killer-drone-and-call-it-skynet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/10/scientists-build-wifi-hunter-killer-drone-and-call-it-skynet/#comments
You'd think scientists would proscribe certain names for their inventions -- you wouldn't be taken seriously if your supercomputer was called HAL 9000, WOPR or Proteus IV would you? Well, a team from the Stevens Institute of Technology isn't listening, because it's developing an aerial drone and calling it SkyNET. A Linux box, strapped to a Parrot A.R. Drone, can fly within range of your home wireless network and electronically attack it from the air. Whilst internet-only attacks are traceable to some extent, drone attacks are difficult to detect until it's too late -- you'd have to catch it in the act and chase it off with a long-handled pitchfork, or something. The team is working on refining the technology to make it cheaper than the $600 it currently costs and advise that people toughen up their domestic wireless security. We advise they stop pushing us ever closer towards the Robopocalypse.

Scientists build WiFi hunter-killer drone and call it SkyNET... Viene Tormenta! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aerial DroneAerialDroneBotnetBotnetsDroneDrone CopterDroneCopterHackHackingHAL 9000Hal9000Home Wireless SecurityHomeWirelessSecurityNetworkNetworkingParrot AR DroneParrotArDroneProteus IVProteusIvQuadcopterRobopocalypseSecureSecuritySITSkyNetStevens Institute Of TechnologyStevensInstituteOfTechnologyWiFiWirelessWireless HackWireless SecurityWirelessHackWirelessSecurityWOPRSat, 10 Sep 2011 05:58:00 EST<![CDATA[DARPA's Maple leaf Remote Control drone takes first flight (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/darpas-maple-leaf-remote-control-drone-takes-first-flight-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/darpas-maple-leaf-remote-control-drone-takes-first-flight-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/darpas-maple-leaf-remote-control-drone-takes-first-flight-vide/#comments After five years behind locked doors, researchers at Lockheed Martin's Intelligent Robotics Laboratories in New Jersey have emerged with a working prototype of the "Samarai," a tiny DARPA-commissioned surveillance drone. The nano air vehicles (NAVs), modeled after falling Maple leaf seeds, are designed to be super light weight and agile for vertical lift off, hovering, and navigation in tight spaces. Like your favorite $5 Subway sammie, these surveillance bots are a foot long, but instead of being shoveled in your mouth, they're thrown like boomerangs into flight and controlled using a tablet app or a basic remote. These eyes in the sky will officially launch next week at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Conference, but until then you can check out the video of their first flight below.

Update: Lockheed Martin wrote in to let us know that although originally commissioned by DARPA, this project is currently funded internally. Lockheed also noted that the flight recorded in the video is only a test flight, rather than a first flight for the Samarai.

Continue reading DARPA's Maple leaf Remote Control drone takes first flight (video)

DARPA's Maple leaf Remote Control drone takes first flight (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armyassociation for unmanned vehicle systems international conferencAssociationForUnmannedVehicleSystemsInternationalConferencedarpadroneintelligenceLockheed Martin Corplockheed martin intelligent roboticsLockheedMartinLockheedMartinCorpLockheedMartinIntelligentRoboticsMaple LeafsMapleLeafsnano air vehicleNanoAirVehicleNAVNAVsrobotrobotssamaraisoldierssurveillanceUAVuavsunmanned vehicle systsmes internationall conferenceUnmannedVehicleSystsmesInternationallConferencevideoThu, 11 Aug 2011 21:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Wireless snooping WASP drone knows you want extra jalapeños, no sliced tomato]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/wireless-snooping-wasp-drone-knows-you-want-extra-jalapenos-no/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/wireless-snooping-wasp-drone-knows-you-want-extra-jalapenos-no/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/wireless-snooping-wasp-drone-knows-you-want-extra-jalapenos-no/#comments This fearsome contraption is the handiwork of a couple of amateur DEFCON-types who reckoned that any self-respecting spy plane ought to be able to impersonate cellphone towers. And that's exactly what the Wireless Aerial Surveillance Platform does -- it tricks AT&T and T-Mobile handsets into connecting to it, then re-routes the incoming calls via VOIP so they don't drop, while simultaneously recording all conversations to 32GB of onboard storage. It can also handle a bit of WiFi snooping on the side, thanks to a Linux-based hacking toolkit and a 340 million word dictionary for guessing passwords. What's more, the WASP apparently achieves all of this without breaking a single FCC regulation. So, er, that's fine then. Oh yeah, and we don't want any of that stuffed crust nonsense, you hear?

Wireless snooping WASP drone knows you want extra jalapeños, no sliced tomato originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftairplanearmycellphonecellphone towercellphonesCellphoneTowerdefcondronehackingmilitaryphone hackingPhoneHackingplanesnoopingspyspy dronespy planeSpyDronespyingSpyPlanesurveillancesurveillance droneSurveillanceDroneUAVwaspwifi snoopingWifiSnoopingMon, 01 Aug 2011 05:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Quadrocopters: blooper reel edition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/03/quadrocopters-blooper-reel-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/03/quadrocopters-blooper-reel-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/03/quadrocopters-blooper-reel-edition/#comments We have a gut feeling this is the video that'll be playing when 'the hive' takes over -- a sentimental, 'look how far we've come' victory reel for the Quadrotor nation. But for now, let's just keep the focus on the softer side of our future nemesis' training-room foibles. Playing like an über-geek version of America's Funniest Home Videos, we admit we cracked a smile watching these insect-like bots from the University of Pennsylvania's GRASP Lab take a few hard knocks in the humility ring. Fear of the swarm aside, it's a humorous twist on an otherwise droning research project. The take away? Schadenfreude -- it's not just for humans.

[Thanks, Daniel]

Quadrocopters: blooper reel edition originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousautonomous flying robotsAutonomousFlyingRobotsblooperblooper reelBlooperReelbloopersdronedronesflightflying robotFlyingRobotGRASP LabGraspLabQuadrocopterQuadrocoptersQuadrotorQuadrotorsroboticsrobotsUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania GRASP LabUniversityOfPennsylvaniaUniversityOfPennsylvaniaGraspLabUPennUPenn GRASP LabUpennGraspLabvideoSun, 03 Jul 2011 11:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Camera-equipped hexacopter turns summer vacation videos into aerial masterworks (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/camera-equipped-hexacopter-turns-summer-vacation-videos-into-aer/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/camera-equipped-hexacopter-turns-summer-vacation-videos-into-aer/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/24/camera-equipped-hexacopter-turns-summer-vacation-videos-into-aer/#comments Camera-equipped hexacopter turns summer vacation videos into aerial masterworks (video) Wakeboarding is so 2005. Wakeboarding with a camera-packing six-rotor MikroKopter tracking your every jump and belly flop? Now that sounds like something we can get behind. The folks over at MikroKopter have renewed our interest in the sport by mounting a FollowMe transmitter (which lets the drone track your every move), along with a GoPro camera to one watersportsman's helmet. They then sent a hexacopter drone, equipped with a Canon T2i, into the air to follow the boarder as he rode across the water. The resulting video definitely puts any and all of our family vacation videos to shame. High-flying video evidence awaits you after the break.

Continue reading Camera-equipped hexacopter turns summer vacation videos into aerial masterworks (video)

Camera-equipped hexacopter turns summer vacation videos into aerial masterworks (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerialaerial photoographyAerialPhotoographycanoncanon t2iCanonT2idronedslrgps trackergps trackingGpsTrackerGpsTrackinghexacoptermicrocopterMikrokopterslrsportsportst2ivideowakeboardwakeboardingwater sportsWaterSportsFri, 24 Jun 2011 23:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Parrot AR.Drone floats into damaged New Zealand cathedral, returns with haunting video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/parrot-ar-drone-floats-into-damaged-new-zealand-cathedral-retur/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/parrot-ar-drone-floats-into-damaged-new-zealand-cathedral-retur/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/parrot-ar-drone-floats-into-damaged-new-zealand-cathedral-retur/#comments
Whenever disaster strikes, robots are among the first to scope out the damage. Rarely, however, do they return with footage as eerie as what this Parrot AR.Drone recorded in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the wake of Monday's 6.0-magnitude earthquake, engineers sent the $500 bot into the city's Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament -- a 106-year-old Roman Catholic church that had sustained significant damage, rendering it too dangerous for humans to enter. The iPad-controlled quadrocopter swooped in and captured rather depressing images of the cathedral's battered interior. The video's quality may be low, but its creepy quotient is high: shattered stained-glass windows, piles of debris, stray pieces of iconography -- it's all quite heavy. Head past the break to see it for yourself.

[Thanks, Ross]

Continue reading Parrot AR.Drone floats into damaged New Zealand cathedral, returns with haunting video

Parrot AR.Drone floats into damaged New Zealand cathedral, returns with haunting video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ar.dronebotcathedralchristchurchchristchurch earthquakeChristchurchEarthquakechurchcreepydamagedisasterdroneearthquakeflying robotFlyingRobotipadnatural disasterNaturalDisasternew zealandNewZealandparrotparrot ar.droneParrotAr.dronequadrocopterrobotvideoThu, 16 Jun 2011 10:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese ball drone knows how to make an entrance (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/japanese-ball-drone-knows-how-to-make-an-entrance-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/japanese-ball-drone-knows-how-to-make-an-entrance-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/japanese-ball-drone-knows-how-to-make-an-entrance-video/#comments Japan's Ministry of Defense is pretty good at its hovering drones, but we're not entirely convinced that this one will be fit for purpose. The RC reconnaissance scout reminds us of a spherical Iain M. Banks Culture drone, which is neat, except that this one's more conspicuous, dies after just eight minutes and was constructed not by an intergalactic artificial consciousness, but by a bunch of geeks who went foraging for parts in Akihabara. Nevertheless, it can do 40MPH and is surprisingly agile, as you'll see in the video -- watch out for the kissogram moment.

Continue reading Japanese ball drone knows how to make an entrance (video)

Japanese ball drone knows how to make an entrance (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copterDefenseDefense MinistryDefenseMinistrydronehoverjapanjapaneseMinistry of DefenseMinistryOfDefensequadrocopterRCreconnaissanceremote controlRemoteControlrobotspy dronespy dronesSpyDroneSpyDronessurveillancevideoFri, 10 Jun 2011 10:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Maker Faire 2011, in pictures: Arduinos, Androids, and angry robots (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/maker-faire-2011-in-pictures-arduinos-androids-and-angry-rob/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/maker-faire-2011-in-pictures-arduinos-androids-and-angry-rob/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/22/maker-faire-2011-in-pictures-arduinos-androids-and-angry-rob/#comments The rapture has come and gone, but the Maker Faire powers on. Despite warnings of a May 21st doomsday, folks came out in droves for the annual celebration of all things DIY, and we were there to bring you the best in homespun inventions. This year's Maker Faire was light on robots and big on corporate sponsorship. Among the giants supporting the little guys were Google, ASUS, and HP, but El Goog's presence extended beyond its dedicated tents. The new Android ADK was big with at-home tinkerers this year, spawning a number of little robots and at least one DIY alternative.

Perhaps no other trend proved more pervasive than 3D printing, however -- every time we turned around there was another MakerBot or RapMan pumping out everything from statuettes of attendees to cutesy salt shakers. There were robotic building blocks, a Heineken-themed R2-D2, DIY drones, custom keyboards, and a ton of repurposed gadgets, but it was an arena of destructo-bots, tucked away in the farthest corner of the San Mateo County Event Center, that really blew us away. We came away sunburned and bedraggled, but lucky for you, we did all the dirty work so you don't have to. To see what made this year's Maker Faire, hop on past the break for a video of our favorite DIY finds.

Gallery: Maker Faire 2011


Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Continue reading Maker Faire 2011, in pictures: Arduinos, Androids, and angry robots (video)

Maker Faire 2011, in pictures: Arduinos, Androids, and angry robots (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 May 2011 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20113D3D printer3dPrinterAndroidAndroid ADKAndroidAdkArduinoDIYDIY DronesDiyDronesDroneDroneselectric vehicleElectricVehicleEVFairegalleryinventioninventionsLEGOLEGOSMakeMake MagazineMakeMagazineMakerMaker FaireMaker Faire 2011MakerFaireMakerFaire2011R2D2robotroboticsrobotsspideStar WarsStarWarstourvideovideosSun, 22 May 2011 17:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Scaled Composites and Northrop Grumman's new Firebird spy plane: pilot optional]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/scaled-composites-and-northrup-grummans-new-firebird-spy-plane/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/scaled-composites-and-northrup-grummans-new-firebird-spy-plane/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/scaled-composites-and-northrup-grummans-new-firebird-spy-plane/#comments
Scaled Composites is best known for creating commercial spaceships for Sir Richard Branson, but it turns out the firm can construct more conventional flying machines, too. The company has joined forces with Northrop Grumman to build the Firebird, a flexible new plane that's a veritable surveillance Swiss Army knife. Part Predator UAV and part traditional aircraft, the Firebird can take to the skies with or without a human at the controls as it combs the earth for enemies of the state. What's more, the airframe's HD video and infrared cameras, radar, and communications gear in the fuselage are able to gather info simultaneously to find the bad guys, and those payloads are easily swapped for other equipment through a universal interface. It's scheduled to strut its intelligence-gathering stuff during a military exercise in a couple weeks, and if all goes according to plan, it'll become another terrorist tracking tool in the U.S. arsenal. Video of the brand new bird in action is after the break.

Continue reading Scaled Composites and Northrop Grumman's new Firebird spy plane: pilot optional

Scaled Composites and Northrop Grumman's new Firebird spy plane: pilot optional originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 May 2011 06:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftairplanedronefirebirdNorthrop GrummanNorthropGrummanplaneScaled CompositesScaledCompositesspy planeSpyPlaneunmannedunmanned aerial vehicleunmanned aircraftUnmannedAerialVehicleUnmannedAircraftvideoTue, 10 May 2011 06:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Six-rotor drone counts trees, not kills]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/six-rotor-drone-counts-trees-not-kills/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/six-rotor-drone-counts-trees-not-kills/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/09/six-rotor-drone-counts-trees-not-kills/#comments Tree-counting drone Relax everybody, unlike its antonymous quadrocopter cousins, this six-rotor drone isn't here to kill, only to count plants. Researchers from Oregon State University are hanging cameras from reasonably-priced RC aircraft to help nurseries track inventory -- a task often performed by workers wandering the orchards and keeping tally by hand. Image analysis software automates the process and, with the addition of other sensors (such as infrared), it could one day be used to spot irrigation problems, identify diseased trees, and estimate crop yield. The machines themselves can climb to over 80 feet and stay aloft for up to 40 minutes while hauling 5-pounds of photo gear. At around $10,000 it's a safe bet that no one will be shooting bottle rockets at balloons with this thing, but it should be well within the reach of farmers who spend that much in money and manpower to track their trees anyway. Two more photos after the break.

Continue reading Six-rotor drone counts trees, not kills

Six-rotor drone counts trees, not kills originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 May 2011 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agriculturedronedronesfarmingflying machineFlyingMachineoregon state universityOregonStateUniversityosuphotographyquadrocopterRCRC aircraftRcAircraftremote controlledRemoteControlledresearchMon, 09 May 2011 13:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Pix4D turns your 2D aerial photographs into 3D maps on the fly (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/pix4d-turns-your-2d-aerial-photographs-into-3d-maps-on-the-fly/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/pix4d-turns-your-2d-aerial-photographs-into-3d-maps-on-the-fly/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/07/pix4d-turns-your-2d-aerial-photographs-into-3d-maps-on-the-fly/#comments Assuming you own a Sensefly Swinglet CAM or some other high-res camera-equipped UAV, you could be just minutes away from turning your plain old 2D aerial photos into comprehensive 3D maps. Pix4D, a new software program coming out of EPFL -- the same institute that brought us this race of altruistic robots -- takes images shot using an aerial drone to render 3D maps in the cloud in just 30 minutes. Users upload images taken with their flying machines, at which point Pix4D kicks into action, defining high contrast points in the phots and pasting them together based on those points. It then renders a 3D model, overlays the graphics, and spits out a Google Earth-style map. So what's with this 4D business? Well, its developers claim that users can easily see the progression of any model by deploying their Sensefly drone whenever they see fit, throwing the added layer of time into the mix. You can see the fruits of Pix4D's labor in the video after the break.

Continue reading Pix4D turns your 2D aerial photographs into 3D maps on the fly (video)

Pix4D turns your 2D aerial photographs into 3D maps on the fly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 May 2011 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3D3D modeling3D models3dModeling3dModels4Daerialaerial photographyAerialPhotographyÉcole Polytechnique FédéraleÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneÉcolePolytechniqueFédéraleÉcolePolytechniqueFédéraleDeLausannecameracamerascloudcloud computingcloud softwareCloudComputingCloudSoftwaredronedronesEPFLhigh-resPix4DSenseflySenseFly Swinglet CAMSenseflySwingletCamSwinglet CamSwingletCamSwissUAVvideoSat, 07 May 2011 00:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Boeing's Phantom Ray soars like a terrifying, unmanned eagle]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/boeings-phantom-ray-soars-like-a-terrifying-unmanned-eagle/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/boeings-phantom-ray-soars-like-a-terrifying-unmanned-eagle/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/boeings-phantom-ray-soars-like-a-terrifying-unmanned-eagle/#comments Boeing's new Phantom Ray aircraft made a covert first flight last week, taking to the skies above California's Edwards Air Force Base. The unmanned airborne system (UAS) reached 7,500 feet, hitting a maximum speed of 178 knots and flying for a total of 17 minutes -- sure, it won't outlast the Phantom Eye anytime soon, but hey, we've all gotta start somewhere. What the 36-foot long vehicle lacks in relative endurance, it makes up stealth, designed to be undetectable on radar, and thanks to a deeply embedded engine, giving off a minimal amount of heat. Boeing will be running additional tests on the autonomous vehicle in the coming weeks, in attempt to prep it for possible future surveillance and attack missions. No word on when this might actually be hitting an airspace near you, but in the meantime, it's probably best to refrain from ticking off any deep pocketed governments.

Continue reading Boeing's Phantom Ray soars like a terrifying, unmanned eagle

Boeing's Phantom Ray soars like a terrifying, unmanned eagle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 21:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftairplaneboeingboeing phantom rayboeing phantom worksBoeingPhantomRayBoeingPhantomWorksdronefightfighterjetphantom rayPhantomRayplanerobot apocalypseRobotApocalypseuasuavunmannedunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehicleTue, 03 May 2011 21:46:00 EST<![CDATA[T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/t-hawk-uav-enters-fukushima-danger-zone-returns-with-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/t-hawk-uav-enters-fukushima-danger-zone-returns-with-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/t-hawk-uav-enters-fukushima-danger-zone-returns-with-video/#comments
We'd love to head on down to Fukushima with a DSLR and some iodide pills, but that's obviously not going to happen. Sending in a flying robot seems to be the next best thing, though, and that's exactly what Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has done. T-Hawk, a US-made MAV (Micro Air Vehicle) commonly used to search for roadside bombs in Iraq, made its Japanese debut last week when it photographed the nuclear plant from above, providing a detailed look at the interior damage a month after iRobot's visit. Small enough to fit in a (rather large) backpack, officially the T-Hawk is named for the tarantula hawk wasp species, but could just as easily have been named for the T. Hawk Street Fighter character, who also swoops in to attack his opponents from above. As expected, things look pretty nasty at ground zero, so head past the break for a video of the damage.

Continue reading T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video

T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dronedronesflyingflying robotFlyingRobotfukushimaFukushima Daiichifukushima nuclearfukushima power plantFukushimaDaiichiFukushimaNuclearFukushimaPowerPlantiraqjapanmavmicro aerial vehicleMicroAerialVehiclenuclearrobott-hawktepcotokyotokyo electricTokyoElectricUAVThu, 21 Apr 2011 18:48:00 EST<![CDATA[iRobot agrees to provide US Navy with bomb disposal and recon bots in a deal worth up to $230 million]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/irobot-agrees-to-provide-us-navy-with-bomb-disposal-and-recon-bo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/irobot-agrees-to-provide-us-navy-with-bomb-disposal-and-recon-bo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/irobot-agrees-to-provide-us-navy-with-bomb-disposal-and-recon-bo/#comments iRobot may still be best known as the creator of the homely Roomba vacuum-cleaning drone, but savvy readers will know the company's endeavors span a pretty broad range of robot-related activities. One of those has now borne fruit in the shape of a multiyear agreement with the US Navy for the provision of "portable robotic systems" that can identify and dispose of explosives while also performing a bit of reconnaissance work in their spare time. The announcement doesn't tell us the particular model(s) or number of bots that will be provided, but there is clarification to say that iRobot will be responsible for providing spares, repairs, training, and accessories along with the hardware, with the total revenue for the company potentially swelling to $230 million over the full course of the contract, which lasts through 2015. Our guess is that the "throwable" robot shown off a couple of weeks back would be a good candidate for this task, though we doubt it'll be thanking us for endorsing it for such perilous work.

iRobot agrees to provide US Navy with bomb disposal and recon bots in a deal worth up to $230 million originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementbombbomb disposalBombDisposalbombsbotcontractdealdroneexplosivesirobotmilitarynavypentagonreconrecon botReconBotreconnaissancerobotrobotswargadgetWed, 13 Apr 2011 10:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Quadrocopters juggle balls cooperatively, mesmerize with their lethal accuracy (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/quadrocopters-juggle-balls-cooperatively-mesmerize-with-their-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/quadrocopters-juggle-balls-cooperatively-mesmerize-with-their-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/quadrocopters-juggle-balls-cooperatively-mesmerize-with-their-l/#comments You've seen one quadrocopter juggle a ball autonomously while gliding through the air, but how's about a pair of them working cooperatively? Yeah, we've got your attention now. The Zurich-based lab that brought us the piano-playing and ball-bouncing quadrocopter is back with a simply breathtaking display of robotic dexterity and teamwork. Like all mad scientists, they call their Flying Machine Arena research "an experiment," though we see it a lot more as a Pong-inspired dance of our future overlords. We all know how far video games have come since two paddles batted a ball between one another, right?

Continue reading Quadrocopters juggle balls cooperatively, mesmerize with their lethal accuracy (video)

Quadrocopters juggle balls cooperatively, mesmerize with their lethal accuracy (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometeraiair droneairborneAirDroneartificial intelligenceArtificialIntelligenceautonomousballsbotcooperationcooperativedexteritydronedynamicethexperimentexperimentalflying machineflying machine arenaFlyingMachineFlyingMachineArenagyrogyroscopejugglingpongpreciseprecisionquadrocopterquadrotorraffaello dandreaRaffaelloDandrearesearchrobotrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypserobotstag teamTagTeamteamworkvideoMon, 28 Mar 2011 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Qatar building fleet of remote control 'clouds' for World Cup 2022]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/27/qatar-building-fleet-of-remote-control-clouds-for-world-cup-20/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/27/qatar-building-fleet-of-remote-control-clouds-for-world-cup-20/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/27/qatar-building-fleet-of-remote-control-clouds-for-world-cup-20/#comments
When Qatar, an insanely wealthy Arab emirate roughly the size of Connecticut, won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, one of the stipulations was that its newly constructed open-air soccer stadiums would be air conditioned. Of course, this is Qatar we're talkin' about here, so the solution would have to be as extravagant as its insanely wealthy Arab emirate status implies. That's why it was no huge shock when The Peninsula reported plans to cool at least some of the nine stadiums by using a fleet of solar powered "clouds," designed and constructed by a certain Dr. Saud Abdul Ghani and his team. Dr. Ghani, the head of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Qatar University, said that the aircraft (more accurately described as really, really slow drones) will be operated by remote control, made of 100 percent light carbonic materials, and will initially cost half a million dollars each. But, really, what's a few million dollars when it's for a good cause?

Qatar building fleet of remote control 'clouds' for World Cup 2022 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 03:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2022cloudDr. Saud Abdul GhaniDr.SaudAbdulGhanidroneqatarrobottransportationworld cupworld cup 2022WorldCupWorldCup2022Sun, 27 Mar 2011 03:17:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA's Global Hawk completes unmanned airborne refueling simulation, will do it for real next year (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/nasas-global-hawk-completes-unmanned-airborne-refueling-simulat/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/nasas-global-hawk-completes-unmanned-airborne-refueling-simulat/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/nasas-global-hawk-completes-unmanned-airborne-refueling-simulat/#comments
While some bot makers are busying themselves designing AI to simulate humans' natural and distinct lack of intelligence, it's nice to see there are still old-fashioned researchers out there keeping the Skynet dream alive. Northrop Grumman's aeronautics gurus have paired together a Global Hawk unmanned aircraft with a manned Proteus ship way up in the skies -- 45,000 feet, to be precise -- with the vessels of ingenuity managing to fly in tandem at a distance as short as 40 feet. Unsurprisingly, this is the first time such intimacy has been reached between UAVs (the Proteus had a monitoring crew on board to ensure the insurance bill wasn't through the roof) in high altitude, and the ultimate goal of having two Global Hawks doing the deed without any human intervention is said to be within reach by next year. That's when these light and agile air drones will be able to refuel themselves and go on for a mighty 120 hours in the air... plenty of time to complete a well planned extermination down below, if one were so inclined.

Continue reading NASA's Global Hawk completes unmanned airborne refueling simulation, will do it for real next year (video)

NASA's Global Hawk completes unmanned airborne refueling simulation, will do it for real next year (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerialairaltitudeartificial intelligenceArtificialIntelligenceautonomousdarpademonstrationdroneglobal hawkGlobalHawkhigh altitudeHighAltitudekq-xnasanorthropNorthrop GrummanNorthropGrummanrefuelrefuelingrobotrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypserobotsrq-4simulationtestuavunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehiclevideowarwargadgetThu, 10 Mar 2011 03:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/28/mega-hurtz-paintball-robot-is-the-remote-controlled-armor-plate/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/28/mega-hurtz-paintball-robot-is-the-remote-controlled-armor-plate/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/28/mega-hurtz-paintball-robot-is-the-remote-controlled-armor-plate/#comments For whatever reason, the paths of paintball and robotics development have tended to converge. Latest in maintaining this fine tradition is the Mega Hurtz drone you see above, designed by a chap named Chris Rogers. It features a reconfigurable weapon platform -- so yes, you can spruce it up into a modern-day ED-209 -- equipped with a night-vision camera, a thermal imaging camera, and a laser scope. The paintball gun Chris has installed on the Mega Hurtz can rip through 20 rounds each second and tilt both vertically and horizontally for more refined aiming. It comes with a remote control feeding video of what the drone sees to the user, so all you'll really need to dominate your next wargame with the Mega Hurtz will be a generous helping of ruthlessness. Video after the break.

Continue reading Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video)

Mega Hurtz paintball robot is the remote-controlled, armor-plated tank you always wanted (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorarmor-platedbotchris rogersChrisRogersdronegunmega hurtzMegaHurtzpaintballpaintball gunPaintballGunremote controlremote controlledRemoteControlRemoteControlledrobottanktracked robotTrackedRobotvideoweaponMon, 28 Feb 2011 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[X-47B unmanned stealth bomber completes its first flight (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/x-47b-unmanned-stealth-bomber-completes-its-first-flight-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/x-47b-unmanned-stealth-bomber-completes-its-first-flight-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/x-47b-unmanned-stealth-bomber-completes-its-first-flight-video/#comments
The evil geniuses at Northrop Grumman successfully completed the first flight of its X-47B unmanned stealth bomber a few days ago at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, California. In the air for a full twenty-nine minutes, the tailless, fighter-sized UAV flew to 5,000 feet and completed several racetrack-type patterns, before landing safely at 2:38 pm PST. The aircraft will continue to undergo tests at Edwards AFB before heading to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, later this year. The ultimate goal is to get this bad boy taking off and landing on US Navy carriers. Carrier trials are currently slated for sometime in 2013. Video, PR after the break.

Continue reading X-47B unmanned stealth bomber completes its first flight (video)

X-47B unmanned stealth bomber completes its first flight (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defensedronenavyNorthrop GrummanNorthropGrummanuaeuawunmanned aircraftUnmannedAircraftus navyUsNavyvideowargadgetx-47bx-47b stealth fighterX-47bStealthFighterMon, 07 Feb 2011 13:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Homebuilt UAV hunts down hydrogen balloons, shoots firework missiles (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/30/homebuilt-uav-hunts-down-hydrogen-balloons-fires-firework-flame/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/30/homebuilt-uav-hunts-down-hydrogen-balloons-fires-firework-flame/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/30/homebuilt-uav-hunts-down-hydrogen-balloons-fires-firework-flame/#comments
Augmented reality is swell, don't get us wrong, but it's no substitute for the real thing -- especially when that thing is a badass tricopter equipped with a jury-rigged firework cannon to rain down miniature hell. Swedish R/C enthusiasts built this first-person flying contraption to carry out a single mission -- destroy a series of hydrogen-filled balloons -- which will hopefully be hard-coded into future automatons too. After all, balloons could serve as an excellent distraction when they inevitably come for you. Still, there's no need to worry quite yet, so kick back and enjoy the video above while you contemplate humanity's end.

Homebuilt UAV hunts down hydrogen balloons, shoots firework missiles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfdronefireworkfireworksfirst personfirst person viewFirstPersonFirstPersonViewfpvhackhackshelicopterradio controlradio controlledRadioControlRadioControlledrcrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypsetricopterUAVvideoSun, 30 Jan 2011 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Quadrocopters learn to build things, when will humans learn to fear them? (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/15/quadrocopters-learn-to-build-things-when-will-humans-learn-to-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/15/quadrocopters-learn-to-build-things-when-will-humans-learn-to-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/15/quadrocopters-learn-to-build-things-when-will-humans-learn-to-f/#comments The GRASP Lab quadrocopters were impressive enough by themselves, all slashing and swooping through the air with unerring precision, but then their makers had to go and give them the intelligence to work in groups and today the inevitable has happened: they've learned how to construct things! Sure, the structures are rudimentary, but we can recognize the beginnings of human containment cells when we see them. Skip past the break for the bone-chilling, teamwork-infused video.

Continue reading Quadrocopters learn to build things, when will humans learn to fear them? (video)

Quadrocopters learn to build things, when will humans learn to fear them? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botbotsconstructioncopterdronedronesgrasp labGraspLabgroupquadrocopterquadrotorresearchrobocopterrobotrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypserobotsteamworkuniversityuniversity of pennsylvaniaUniversityOfPennsylvaniavideoSat, 15 Jan 2011 18:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/quadrocopter-plays-the-piano-wishes-us-a-happy-and-complacent-h/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/quadrocopter-plays-the-piano-wishes-us-a-happy-and-complacent-h/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/quadrocopter-plays-the-piano-wishes-us-a-happy-and-complacent-h/#comments Our worst frienemies, the quadrocopters, have decided to act cute for the holidays and play us a merry little jingle. Yes, the guys and gals behind the Flying Machine Arena have put together an airborne robot sophisticated enough to lay down a few seasonal notes on a Yamaha electronic keyboard. And we're still sitting around debating inconsequential topics like net neutrality -- all of human civilization is at stake here, people! Be a good citizen and watch the video after the break to scout out any weak points to this most imminent threat to humanity's survival.

Continue reading Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video)

Quadrocopter plays the piano, wishes us a happy and complacent holiday (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aidroneethflying machineflying machine arenaFlyingMachineFlyingMachineArenapianoquadrocopterquadrotorrobotvideoWed, 22 Dec 2010 11:14:00 EST<![CDATA[El Paso resident finds Mexican Orbiter Mini drone in his front yard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/el-paso-resident-finds-mexican-orbiter-mini-drone-in-his-front-y/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/el-paso-resident-finds-mexican-orbiter-mini-drone-in-his-front-y/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/el-paso-resident-finds-mexican-orbiter-mini-drone-in-his-front-y/#comments
When discussing drones, we usually think of the Af-Pak theater (or perhaps joy ridin' UK teens), so it was with some amusement that we heard about a little border excursion that a Mexican UAV made into American airspace a few days ago. According to reports, the device -- believed to be an Israeli-made Orbiter Mini -- was being operated by the Mexican government (on its side of the border) when it experienced some sort of "mechanical malfunction" and crossed over to El Paso, Texas, where it was discovered on a resident's front lawn last Tuesday. The Orbiter Mini, manufactured by Aeronautics Defense Systems, has a six foot wingspan and will stay in the air up to four hours.

El Paso resident finds Mexican Orbiter Mini drone in his front yard originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aeronautics Defense SystemsAeronauticsDefenseSystemsborderdefensedroneel pasoElPasoisraelmexicoOrbiterOrbiter MiniOrbiterMinirobotsurveillancetexasuavwargadgetTue, 21 Dec 2010 17:44:00 EST<![CDATA[USAF to receive the last of its Predator drones in early 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/usaf-to-receive-the-last-of-its-predator-drones-in-early-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/usaf-to-receive-the-last-of-its-predator-drones-in-early-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/usaf-to-receive-the-last-of-its-predator-drones-in-early-2011/#comments
While the controversial (and deadly) use of combat drones certainly shows no signs of abatement, the Air Force has announced that a recent purchase of 268 Predators will be its last. The vehicles, manufactured by General Atomics, should be in the hands of the military by early next year. For its part, the USAF will apparently switch to purchasing Reaper drones -- which can carry a wide variety of armaments, including Sidewinder or Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs. We just hope that they aren't using the unencrypted video feeds that made Predators so easy to monitor.

USAF to receive the last of its Predator drones in early 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 02:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air forceAirForcedefensedronegeneral atomicsGeneralAtomicsmilitarypredatorpredator dronePredatorDronereaperusafwargadgetThu, 16 Dec 2010 02:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Quadrocopters enter the Flying Machine Arena, must bounce a ping-pong ball to survive (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/quadrocopters-enter-the-flying-machine-arena-must-bounce-a-ping/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/quadrocopters-enter-the-flying-machine-arena-must-bounce-a-ping/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/quadrocopters-enter-the-flying-machine-arena-must-bounce-a-ping/#comments We don't need another hero. We don't need to know the way home. All we want is life beyond the Flying Machine Arena, a test ground at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) where quadrocopters can learn new abilities and stretch their fan blades without injuring too many scientists. One such new ability is juggling balls -- well, one ball, anyway. This particular quadrocopter has learned to identify a ping-pong ball and is quite adept at keeping it in the air while the robot itself stays flying. Interestingly the last project we heard about from ETH also involved table tennis, so hopefully the next one involves a full-scale humanoid player that won't stop hunting until it has crushed every opponent.

Continue reading Quadrocopters enter the Flying Machine Arena, must bounce a ping-pong ball to survive (video)

Quadrocopters enter the Flying Machine Arena, must bounce a ping-pong ball to survive (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>droneethflying machine arenaFlyingMachineArenaidscquadcopterquadrocopterquadrotorSwiss Federal Institute of TechnologySwissFederalInstituteOfTechnologyswitzerlandvideozurichWed, 08 Dec 2010 14:17:00 EST