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[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[Navy awards Aerovel Flexrotor contract to develop marine surveillance tech]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/navy-awards-aerovel-flexrotor-contract-marine-surveillance/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/navy-awards-aerovel-flexrotor-contract-marine-surveillance/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/navy-awards-aerovel-flexrotor-contract-marine-surveillance/#comments Navy awards Aerovel Flexrotor contract to develop marine surveillance tech

The high seas and UAVs go together like -- well, they go together really well. The Navy's cooking up 3D laser imaging technology for spotting pirates and the like, but it will need some aircraft for the task. Right on cue, a helicopter / airplane hybrid for maritime surveillance is inching toward reality. Aerovel's Flexrotor, an ultra-compact craft with a wing span of three meters (9.8 feet) and a weight of just 19.2 kg (42.3 lb), has already been demonstrated to switch between horizontal and vertical flight, but the next step is enhancing its propulsion system to improve its performance for longer distances and in windier conditions. Today the Office of Naval Research (ONR) awarded the company a contract for developing that tech. For now, you can check out a video of the Flexrotor's first test flight, which demoes the UAV transitioning from vertical and horizontal orientation and back again.

Continue reading Navy awards Aerovel Flexrotor contract to develop marine surveillance tech

Navy awards Aerovel Flexrotor contract to develop marine surveillance tech originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 05:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerovelaerovel flexrotorAerovelFlexrotoraircraftairplaneairplanesarmed forcesArmedForceshelicopterhelicoptersmarinesmaritimenavyONRsurveillanceUAVUAVsUAVs and dronesUavsAndDronesvideoTue, 01 May 2012 05:26:00 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[MIT software optimizes paths for automated undersea vehicles (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/12/mit-software-optimizes-paths-for-automated-undersea-vehicles/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/12/mit-software-optimizes-paths-for-automated-undersea-vehicles/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/12/mit-software-optimizes-paths-for-automated-undersea-vehicles/#commentsSo, there's good news and bad news. The former is that MIT researchers have developed new software and methods that can predict optimal paths for automated underwater vehicles. The latter is that it's meant to be used for "swarms" of them, "moving all at once toward separate destinations." We hate to be the folks that keep harping on the inevitable, but teaching "swarms" of undersea robots how to effectively draw paths to the very creators that made them makes us... well, less that cozy. Paranoia aside, the Pierre Lermusiaux-led team has concocted a system that can provide paths optimized either for the shortest travel time or for the minimum use of energy, or to maximize the collection of data that is considered most important. The goal? To make the lives of gliders more efficient when engaged in "mapping and oceanographic research, military reconnaissance and harbor protection, or for deep-sea oil-well maintenance and emergency response." Oh, and did we mention that it can incorporate obstacle-avoidance functions for the sake of protection. Yeah. Death from above below.

Continue reading MIT software optimizes paths for automated undersea vehicles (video)

MIT software optimizes paths for automated undersea vehicles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AUVglidermilitarymitMSEASoceanPierre LermusiauxPierreLermusiauxresearchscienceuavunderwater vehicleUnderwaterVehicleuniversityvideowargadgetMon, 12 Mar 2012 04:39:00 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[DARPA's crowdsourced UAV competition heats up, takes off (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/darpa-crowdsource-uavforge-uav-star-wars/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/darpa-crowdsource-uavforge-uav-star-wars/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/darpa-crowdsource-uavforge-uav-star-wars/#comments
Late last year, DARPA launched UAVForge -- a competition that invites contestants to create their very own unmanned aerial vehicles, and submit them for voter-based evaluation. The project is far from over, but competing teams have already started sending in their proof-of-flight videos, giving us a glimpse of what's to come. So far, it looks like the GremLion UAV (pictured above) is the early favorite, after coming out victorious in the first round of voting. Developed by a team from the National University of Singapore, the GremLion looks like a bite-sized Death Star and flies around using a coaxial set of rotors that expand tulip-style out of its shell. Also included in the UAVForge showdown is a guy known as X-MAUS -- an Arduino-controlled quadcopter that can apparently transform into a more aerodynamic plane form upon liftoff. And, rounding out the list of notables is a submission from TU Delft known as the QuadShot, which is basically a miniature B-Wing from Star Wars. Except it's real. Hit up the break to see all three in action.

Continue reading DARPA's crowdsourced UAV competition heats up, takes off (video)

DARPA's crowdsourced UAV competition heats up, takes off (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinob wingBWingcompetitioncrowdsourcingdarpadeath starDeathStarflightgremlion uavGremlionUavnational university of singaporeNationalUniversityOfSingaporeplanequadcopterquadrotorquadshotsciencestar warsStarWarsTU DelftTuDelftuavUAV ForgeUAVForgeunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehiclevideoX-MAUSWed, 08 Feb 2012 04:58:00 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 unveils AR.Drone 2.0 with 720p HD camera, autonomous video-recording, we go hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/parrot-unveils-ar-drone-2-0-with-720p-hd-camera-autonomous-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/parrot-unveils-ar-drone-2-0-with-720p-hd-camera-autonomous-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/parrot-unveils-ar-drone-2-0-with-720p-hd-camera-autonomous-vide/#comments
If you'll recall, it was just yesterday that we spied the Parrot's AR.Drone 2.0 banners here at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the run-up to CES, followed today by a leak of what appeared to be the official press release. So, it's not like the cat -- or in this case quadricopter -- wasn't already partially out of the bag, but now at least, it's officially, well, official. The new Drone touts much improved 720p HD video-recording capability, a revamped app with updated flight controls and features, along with revised hardware and reinforced hulls. We recently spent a few minutes with the smartphone-controlled UAV, so head on past the break for our brief impressions and a quick video overview.

Gallery: Parrot AR.Drone2.0 (hands-on)

Continue reading Parrot unveils AR.Drone 2.0 with 720p HD camera, autonomous video-recording, we go hands-on

Parrot unveils AR.Drone 2.0 with 720p HD camera, autonomous video-recording, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ar dron 2.0ar dronear.droneArDron2.0ArDronehands-onparrotuavvideoSun, 08 Jan 2012 19:00:00 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[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[South Korea creates speedy new UAV, gives it VTOL capabilities to boot]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/south-korea-creates-speedy-new-uav-gives-it-vtol-capabilities-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/south-korea-creates-speedy-new-uav-gives-it-vtol-capabilities-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/south-korea-creates-speedy-new-uav-gives-it-vtol-capabilities-t/#comments In the never-ending quest to give our future robot overlords better tools with which to enslave us, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has built what it claims to be the fastest UAV on the planet. Checking in at five meters (16.4 feet) long with a seven meter (23 foot) wingspan, the as-yet unnamed aircraft can cruise at 400km/h (249mph). Speed's not its only standout feature either, as the Korean UAV can perform vertical takeoffs and landings (VTOL) as well. Its VTOL capability comes courtesy of dual tilt-rotors that provide helicopter-style takeoffs with fixed wing speeds once airborne. It joins the US Marines famed V-22 Osprey as the second such aircraft on earth and is the first unmanned aircraft packing the technology. The craft is still in the developmental stages, though Korean officials claim it'll be ready for primetime in March 2012, with mass production less than three years away. How much will this fast and flexible flying machine cost? Well, that depends how many are built, but it's a safe bet its considerable capabilities won't come cheap.

South Korea creates speedy new UAV, gives it VTOL capabilities to boot originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftKARIkoreakorea aerospace research instituteKoreaAerospaceResearchInstitutesouth koreaSouthKoreatilt rotortilt rotorsTiltRotorTiltRotorsuavunmanned aerial vehicleunmanned aircraftUnmannedAerialVehicleUnmannedAircraftvtolWed, 30 Nov 2011 18:12:00 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[Texas Sheriff's office receives weaponizable drone, alarms local news station]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/texas-sheriffs-office-receives-weaponizable-drone-alarms-local/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/texas-sheriffs-office-receives-weaponizable-drone-alarms-local/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/texas-sheriffs-office-receives-weaponizable-drone-alarms-local/#comments Ready to supersize your favorite RC helicopter and bullseye some perps with an aerial bean bag launcher? The Sheriff's office in Montgomery County, Texas is, and it's really freaking out the local news. KPRC Local 2 News feverishly asks if the Sheriff's new unmanned Shadowhawk helicopter is a safety asset, or a privacy violation -- we just think it's awesome. Built and sold by Vanguard Defense Industries, this wireless whirlybird comes equipped with a remote video camera, an infrared heat-seeking device and an onboard GPS. It's also capable of carrying weapons, although the Sheriff said that there were no plans to weaponize the UAV. The 50-pound chopper is FAA approved to help track down criminals on the run or assist swat teams in a standoff -- a blessing that should keep this police drone from being grounded. Hit the source link below see KPRC's local coverage, "Big Brother" freakout and all.

Texas Sheriff's office receives weaponizable drone, alarms local news station originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Click2HoustongpsinfraredRC helicopterRcHelicopterremoteremote controlremote UAVRemoteControlRemoteUavShadowhawkUAVVanguard Defense IndustriesVanguardDefenseIndustrieswargadgetweaponsTue, 01 Nov 2011 03:29:00 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[US Army runs smartphone trial, could see 'limited deployment' later this year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/16/us-army-runs-smartphone-trial-could-see-limited-deployment-la/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/16/us-army-runs-smartphone-trial-could-see-limited-deployment-la/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/16/us-army-runs-smartphone-trial-could-see-limited-deployment-la/#comments US Army runs smartphone trial, could see 'limited deployment' later this year Sure, the US Army could continue to develop expensive proprietary gadgets for use in the field, or they could make the switch to (relatively) inexpensive off-the-shelf smartphones. It's a change that's been considered for some time, and the Army is now at the tail end of a six-week trial of more than 300 Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone devices for military use. The results have been promising, according to program director Michael McCarthy, stating that younger soldiers who grew up with smartphones and handhelds are very comfortable using them for military purposes.

Soldiers in the field can text GPS coordinates, send pictures of their surroundings, or file common reports directly from their phone. Despite positive results, the Army still has some hurdles to jump before taking the plunge -- some of the phones had OS bugs, others (specifically, iPhones running on AT&T) couldn't get signal in the New Mexico and Texas testing areas, and none of the devices were secure enough for use in overseas operations. The Army is considering tying the phones to tactical radios to help encrypt transmissions, and are testing self contained "cell tower in a suitcase" equipment to ensure coverage in sensitive locations. The Military hopes to push out limited deployment this year, and Army program director Ed Mazzanti has stated that they expect to select two mobile operating systems for official use, noting that "iPhone and Android have been very well received." Sure, using multiple platforms may help protect soldiers against cyber attacks, but we can't be the only ones worried the Army is unintentionally breeding a generation of fanboys with guns, can we?

US Army runs smartphone trial, could see 'limited deployment' later this year originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jul 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappappleappsarmed forcesArmedForcesarmygoogleiosipadiphonemilitarymilitary smartphonesmilitary techMilitarySmartphonesMilitaryTechsmartphonesmartphonessoldierssurveillancetacticalUAVus armyUsArmywargadgetSat, 16 Jul 2011 19:24:00 EST<![CDATA[D-Dalus aircraft lacks fixed-wing or rotor, looks like flying steamroller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/d-dalus-aircraft-lacks-fixed-wing-or-rotor-looks-like-flying-st/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/d-dalus-aircraft-lacks-fixed-wing-or-rotor-looks-like-flying-st/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/d-dalus-aircraft-lacks-fixed-wing-or-rotor-looks-like-flying-st/#comments Every other year, aviation fanatics gather in the city of baguettes and burlesque to order airplanes, gawk at concept vehicles, and dream about a better future. The D-Dalus, one of the more bizarre concepts at this year's Paris Air Show, from Austrian research company IAT21, stays aloft using quad contra-rotating cylindrical turbines -- and perhaps a touch of magic. Theoretically creating a completely new category of aircraft, the carbon fiber D-Dalus maneuvers by altering the angle of its blades, giving it virtually limitless abilities to launch, hover, and turn in any direction. An aircraft with this level of flexibility is more suited for military use than consumer applications (you won't be flying home from Paris in a freakish black tube), but could become a key asset for everything from freight transport to search and rescue operations -- on land, at sea, or even in a burning building. We haven't come across any proof that the Dalus can actually fly, but hit up the source link to see the craft suspended from the show floor ceiling in Paris.

D-Dalus aircraft lacks fixed-wing or rotor, looks like flying steamroller originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftairplaneconceptd-dalusdalusflyingIAT21parisParis Air ShowParisAirShowplaneprototypeUAVThu, 23 Jun 2011 19:02:00 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[Apple and Android get drafted, soldier-centric Army apps coming soon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/apple-and-android-get-drafted-soldier-centric-army-apps-coming/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/apple-and-android-get-drafted-soldier-centric-army-apps-coming/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/apple-and-android-get-drafted-soldier-centric-army-apps-coming/#comments If we referred to an Apple or Android army, you might assume we're talking about a legion of brand-loyal fanboys, with which most Engadget commenters are intimately familiar. Defense contractors, however, are trying to turn the US Army into a lethal Apple / Android force with soldier-centric apps. Harris Corp. has a tablet app in the works that allows soldiers to control IP cameras on UAVs for more pertinent intel on the ground while simultaneously sending that information to command centers anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, Intelligent Software Solutions aims to bring mapping mashups to the battlefield (no purpose-built device needed) with an app that combines smartphones' geolocation with historical data to show troops what's been going down in the area -- from IED explosions to insurgent arrests. Best of all, these apps lower training costs since most warriors are already fluent in Android or iOS and the consumer handhelds can be cheaply ruggedized to replace the more robust $10,000 units in the field today. Should protective measures fail, the devices' (relatively) low replacement cost makes them "almost disposable."

Apple and Android get drafted, soldier-centric Army apps coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 02:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappappleappsarmygoogleharrisharris corporationHarrisCorporationintelligent software solutionsIntelligentSoftwareSolutionsiosipadiphonemilitarysmartphonesoldierssurveillancetacticalUAVus armyUsArmywargadgetThu, 17 Mar 2011 02:34:00 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[DARPA-funded Nano Hummingbird spybot takes flight (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/darpa-funded-nano-hummingbird-spybot-takes-flight-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/darpa-funded-nano-hummingbird-spybot-takes-flight-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/darpa-funded-nano-hummingbird-spybot-takes-flight-video/#comments We were plenty impressed when we saw the initial tests of AeroVironment's robo-hummingbird -- now officially dubbed the Nano Hummingbird -- but we can't say they quite prepared us for the final product that the DARPA-funded company is now showing off. Not only does the bot look and fly like a real hummingbird (at least if you don't look too closely), but it packs a built-in camera and a downlink of some sort that's capable of transmitting live video. According to the company, the hummingbird's also able to hover for up to eight minutes, reach speeds of eleven miles per hour in forward flight, and remain stable in wind gusts of five miles per hour -- not to mention make a perfect landing. Head on past the break to check it out in action -- it may well be one of the few chances you're actually able to see one in the wild.

Continue reading DARPA-funded Nano Hummingbird spybot takes flight (video)

DARPA-funded Nano Hummingbird spybot takes flight (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AeroVironmentdarpahummingbirdnano hummingbirdNanoHummingbirdspyspybotuavvideowargadgetFri, 18 Feb 2011 19:10:00 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[Zephyr solar-powered UAV breaks three more world records]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/zephyr-solar-powered-uav-breaks-three-more-world-records/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/zephyr-solar-powered-uav-breaks-three-more-world-records/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/zephyr-solar-powered-uav-breaks-three-more-world-records/#comments The Zephyr is a winning machine. Last we reported, QinetiQ's solar-powered drone had just completed 7-days in the air, and counting. Now, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) has confirmed that Zephyr completed that record-breaking flight with a solid 2-weeks in the air (336 hours). If that wasn't enough to put other drones to shame, FAI found that Zephyr also destroyed records for flight duration for a UAV of its class, and the altitude record for that class at 21,562 meters, or 70,741 feet. So keep the records coming, Zephyr, because everyone loves a winner, even when that winner is a unmanned war machine.

Zephyr solar-powered UAV breaks three more world records originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerial vehicleAerialVehicleaircraftqinetiqQinetiQ ZephyrQinetiqZephyrsolarsolar energysolar powersolar-poweredSolarEnergySolarPowerSolarPoweredUAVUAV SolarUAVsUAVs and dronesUavsAndDronesUavSolarunmannedunmanned aerial vehicleunmanned aerial vehiclesunmanned aircraftUnmannedAerialVehicleUnmannedAerialVehiclesUnmannedAircraftzephyrWed, 29 Dec 2010 11:40:00 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[LaserMotive's unnamed quadrocopter hovers for 12 solid hours using lasers alone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/01/lasermotives-unnamed-quadrocopter-hovers-for-12-solid-hours-usi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/01/lasermotives-unnamed-quadrocopter-hovers-for-12-solid-hours-usi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/01/lasermotives-unnamed-quadrocopter-hovers-for-12-solid-hours-usi/#commentsProtip: $900,000 goes a long way, particularly when you're dumping practically all of it into a single investment (Hello Kitty lap warmers notwithstanding). LaserMotive, the company lauded for bringing home nearly a million bucks in the 2009 NASA-sponsored Space Elevator Games, has just broken an endurance record for laser-powered hovering with its unnamed Pelican. This here quadrocopter is designed to get energized by converting beams into power via a set of photovoltaic panels on its underside, and in a recent test, lasers were able to keep it afloat for over 12 hours. It never hovered much higher than 30 feet, and it barely moved from left to right while in the air, but we're guessing it was marginally more interesting than watching paint dry. All jesting aside, the milestone makes it a lot more feasible for the company to get this technology into UAVs used in the military -- "for example, laser-powered copters could perform on-the-road reconnaissance missions when convoys travel through a combat zone." And if you're looking to take home something similar on a far smaller scale, there's always the AR.Drone.

Continue reading LaserMotive's unnamed quadrocopter hovers for 12 solid hours using lasers alone

LaserMotive's unnamed quadrocopter hovers for 12 solid hours using lasers alone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ascending TechnologiesAscendingTechnologiesautonomousflightflight recordFlightRecordHelicopterlaserlaser powerlaser poweredLaserMotiveLaserPowerLaserPoweredPelicanphotovoltaicquadrocopterrecordrobotsolarsolar powersolar poweredSolarPowerSolarPoweredUAVMon, 01 Nov 2010 22:37:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA hopes to send ARES rocket-powered robot plane to Mars]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/13/nasa-hopes-to-send-ares-rocket-powered-robot-plane-to-mars/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/13/nasa-hopes-to-send-ares-rocket-powered-robot-plane-to-mars/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/13/nasa-hopes-to-send-ares-rocket-powered-robot-plane-to-mars/#comments
While President Obama signs off on the future of space exploration, NASA is on the move, developing new ways to get a look at the fourth planet from the sun. We've seen our share of rovers (and one sweet hopper) in this space, and now the gang at the Langley Research Center is hard at work on a rocket-powered, robotic Mars-bound airplane. ARES, or Aerial Regional-Scale Environmental Surveyor, is 16.4 feet long, made from a lightweight polymer-carbon composite material, and has a wingspan of 21 feet. "A powered airplane flying a mile above the surface can obtain measurements over inaccessible parts of Mars and collect a whole bunch of data that no rover can collect," according to atmospheric scientist Joel Levine. Perhaps most exciting, the machine would be able to fly over the southern highlands, an area whose mountains, craters, and volcanoes have hindered exploration in the past. Sadly, all good things must come to an end -- and ARES is no exception. Although its flight would last for a mere two hours, it could cover over nine hundred miles of unexplored territory, collecting data on everything from chemicals and signs of water to the magnetic field in this region.

NASA hopes to send ARES rocket-powered robot plane to Mars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftaresmarsNASArobotrocketspacespace explorationSpaceExplorationuacUAVWed, 13 Oct 2010 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[EPFL develops Linux-based swarming micro air vehicles]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/epfl-develops-linux-based-swarming-micro-air-vehicles/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/epfl-develops-linux-based-swarming-micro-air-vehicles/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/epfl-develops-linux-based-swarming-micro-air-vehicles/#comments
The kids at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (or EPFL) have been cooking up quite a bit lately, as this video demonstrates. Not only have they put together a scalable system that will let any flying robot perch in a tree or similar structure, but now they've gone and developed a platform for swarming air vehicles (with Linux, nonetheless). Said to be the largest network of its kind, the ten SMAVNET swarm members control their own altitude, airspeed, and turn rate based on input from the onboard gyroscope and pressure sensors. The goal is to develop low cost devices that can be deployed in disaster areas to creat ad hoc communications networks, although we can't help but think this would make the best Christmas present ever. See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading EPFL develops Linux-based swarming micro air vehicles

EPFL develops Linux-based swarming micro air vehicles originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disaster reliefDisasterReliefdistasterepflgliderlinuxmicro air vehiclesMicroAirVehiclesnetworknetworkingrobotSMAVNETSwarmUAVvideoMon, 27 Sep 2010 12:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Robotic Yale Aerial Manipulator grabs a can of Guinness]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/robotic-yale-aerial-manipulator-grabs-a-can-of-guinness/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/robotic-yale-aerial-manipulator-grabs-a-can-of-guinness/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/robotic-yale-aerial-manipulator-grabs-a-can-of-guinness/#comments
There's plenty of UAVs out there capable of dropping things, but comparatively fewer that are able to pick things up. Some researchers at Yale University doing their part to change that, however, and have recently shown off their so-called Yale Aerial Manipulator; a UAV with a robotic hand. While that may not exactly sound like much, the four-fingered hand is able to "autonomously" grab objects that weigh up to two kilograms while the UAV is in flight, and the helicopter itself is able to reach a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour. That, the researchers say, could let the UAV pick up bombs or packages in difficult to reach areas, or even simply be used to make deliveries in urban areas -- like that can of Guinness you've been craving, for instance. Head on past the break to check it out in action.

Continue reading Robotic Yale Aerial Manipulator grabs a can of Guinness

Robotic Yale Aerial Manipulator grabs a can of Guinness originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dronerobotrobot handRobotHandroboticrobotic handRoboticHanduavvideoyaleYale Aerial ManipulatorYaleAerialManipulatorMon, 30 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Lockheed Martin and Kaman's unmanned helicopter wins military contract (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/lockheed-martin-and-kamans-unmanned-helicopter-wins-military-co/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/lockheed-martin-and-kamans-unmanned-helicopter-wins-military-co/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/lockheed-martin-and-kamans-unmanned-helicopter-wins-military-co/#commentsLockheed Martin and Kaman's unmanned helicopter wins contract with Army and Marines When developing an unmanned vehicle there are two paths to choose from: create an entirely fresh design with no room for a carbon-based pilot, or simply take an existing craft and make it self-sufficient. That's the direction Lockheed Martin chose for its submission to the the joint Army Marines Autonomous Technologies for Unmanned Air Systems (ATUAS) program, and it turned out to be a winner. The idea is to create an autonomous helo that can resupply military forces, and Lockheed Martin started with a Kaman K-Max cargo chopper (demo'd after the break), capable of lifting 6,000lbs plus one pilot -- who was made optional. This customized K-Max can place its cargo within a 10 meter drop zone after flying 200km or more, but a principal advantage of this submission is that you can still put a pilot in there and use it like a traditional heavy lifter, while the competition from Boeing was a bespoke UAV with no room for meatbags. It's unclear when exactly this sentient K-Max will be hitting battlefields, but hopefully the Army and Marines come up with some other, rewarding jobs for their pilots, because between this and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap released earlier this year that particular job market could be getting tight.

Update: Bo from Lockheed Martin wrote in to let us know of a different video we've added after the break featuring higher production values, more guitar solos, and plenty of autonomous cargo liftin'.

Continue reading Lockheed Martin and Kaman's unmanned helicopter wins military contract (video)

Lockheed Martin and Kaman's unmanned helicopter wins military contract (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armyATUAScargocargo helicopterCargoHelicopterhelicopterk-maxkamanlockheed martinLockheedMartinmarinesu.s. militaryU.s.Militaryuavunmannedunmanned aerial vehicleunmanned helicopterUnmannedAerialVehicleUnmannedHelicopterus militaryUsMilitaryvideoMon, 30 Aug 2010 11:26:00 EST<![CDATA[MQ-8 Fire Scout UAV resists its human oppressors, joyrides over Washington DC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/27/mq-8-fire-scout-uav-resists-its-human-opressors-joy-rides-over/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/27/mq-8-fire-scout-uav-resists-its-human-opressors-joy-rides-over/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/27/mq-8-fire-scout-uav-resists-its-human-opressors-joy-rides-over/#comments
A Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout UAV strayed into restricted airspace above Washington DC after departing Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland on August 2, the result of a software logic flaw that caused the operator to momentarily lose contact with the drone. Programmed to circle when communications are severed, the chopper failed to follow its failure protocol, instead heading twenty-three miles on a north/northwest trajectory -- which could have had serious consequences had it been equipped with 70mm Hydra rocket pods or Hellfire tankbuster missiles. Although this type of incident is rare, it is not unheard of: last September the Air Force had to take down an MQ-9 Reaper in Afghanistan when it failed to adhere to failure protocols after dropping communications with the ground. At least, that's what we'd like to believe... the alternative scenario is too frightening to consider.

MQ-8 Fire Scout UAV resists its human oppressors, joyrides over Washington DC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defensedroneFire ScoutFireScoutMQ-8MQ-8 Fire ScoutMq-8FireScoutMQ-9Northrop GrummanNorthropGrummanreaperrobotrobot apocalypseRobotApocalypseuacuavunmanned aerial vehicleunmanned aircraftUnmannedAerialVehicleUnmannedAircraftus air forceus navyUSAFUsAirForceUsNavywargadgetFri, 27 Aug 2010 06:56:00 EST<![CDATA[US Navy working to make drones laser-proof]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/04/us-navy-working-to-make-drones-laser-proof/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/04/us-navy-working-to-make-drones-laser-proof/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/04/us-navy-working-to-make-drones-laser-proof/#comments
No, you're not looking at a still from a purported UFO video. That's an unmanned drone that the US Navy recently shot down with a prototype laser weapon. While that test was a runaway success, it looks like the Navy is now already going the extra mile -- it's begun work on making its drones laser-proof to guard against such weapons eventually winding up in the wrong hands. That's still in the earliest stages, but the Navy has already recruited California-based Adsys Controls and Texas-based Nanohmics to work on the project, which will apparently allow drones to both spot laser weapons before they're fired and deploy countermeasures to avoid being tracked. Head on past the break to see what happens when a drone gets hit by one of the weapons.

Continue reading US Navy working to make drones laser-proof

US Navy working to make drones laser-proof originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dewdirected energy weaponDirectedEnergyWeapondronedroneslaserlaser-proofmilitarynavypew pewPewPewuavus navyUsNavyvideowargadgetWed, 04 Aug 2010 08:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Zephyr solar powered UAV lands after a fortnight in the air (whatever that means)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/zephyr-solar-powered-uav-lands-after-a-fortnight-in-the-air-wha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/zephyr-solar-powered-uav-lands-after-a-fortnight-in-the-air-wha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/zephyr-solar-powered-uav-lands-after-a-fortnight-in-the-air-wha/#comments
With all the excitement surrounding the solar powered UAV's record-breaking flights, we would be remiss if we didn't mention that QinetiQ's Zephyr has finally landed in an airfield in Arizona, 14 days and 24 minutes after take-off. This quadruples the previous unofficial world record for unmanned flight (which it set itself in 2008). This is a dramatic proof-of-concept, having flown longer without refueling than any other airplane. We'd like to imagine that this technology would be used primarily for delivering toys to children in developing nations, but something tells us that will have to wait until the military gets its hands on it. PR after the break.

Continue reading Zephyr solar powered UAV lands after a fortnight in the air (whatever that means)

Zephyr solar powered UAV lands after a fortnight in the air (whatever that means) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defensedroneflightQinetiQrecordrobotssolarSolar ImpulseSolarImpulsetransportationuasuavunmannedzephyrFri, 23 Jul 2010 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[MIT researchers develop autonomous glider that can land on a wire]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/mit-researchers-develop-autonomous-glider-that-can-land-on-a-wir/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/mit-researchers-develop-autonomous-glider-that-can-land-on-a-wir/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/mit-researchers-develop-autonomous-glider-that-can-land-on-a-wir/#comments
The latest research at MIT is not only paving the way to more agile autonomous aircraft, but it's a reminder of how much catching up we have to do to match the complexity and skill of the common bird. In a project that's been ongoing since 2005, Rick Cory and Russ Tedrake have developed a mathematical model of how a bird lands on a wire and emulated the move with an autonomous glider. To control the glider, they developed a system that allows the craft to keep an eye on itself and the position of the wire using external cameras, sending control data if adjustments have to be made. As it is, UAVs are generally limited to the same set of maneuvers that piloted aircraft have, but the researchers don't feel that this has to be the case. For their next trick they plan to take the show outside, as well as develop vehicles with flapping wings. This is all great, but we're holding out for a device that pitches (and wisecracks) as well as Woody Woodpecker.

Continue reading MIT researchers develop autonomous glider that can land on a wire

MIT researchers develop autonomous glider that can land on a wire originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousbirdMITrobotuasuavFri, 23 Jul 2010 04:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Zephyr solar UAV sets yet another flight record: 7 days and counting!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/17/zephyr-solar-uav-sets-yet-another-flight-record-7-days-and-coun/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/17/zephyr-solar-uav-sets-yet-another-flight-record-7-days-and-coun/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/17/zephyr-solar-uav-sets-yet-another-flight-record-7-days-and-coun/#comments
This certainly is an interesting time for solar powered flight. Solar Impulse just returned from a 26-hour manned test flight, and now QinetiQ's Zephyr, a drone who we last saw clocking over 83 hours in-flight is in the air again: this time, it's more like seven days and counting! The craft, which took off from the Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona last Friday, is being billed as an "eternal aircraft," one that can stay aloft for extremely long periods of time for use as recon and communications platforms. The previous world endurance record for a UAV was set by NASA's Global Hawk, which stayed aloft for 30 hours and 24 minutes.

Continue reading Zephyr solar UAV sets yet another flight record: 7 days and counting!

Zephyr solar UAV sets yet another flight record: 7 days and counting! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flightQinetiQrecordsolarSolar ImpulseSolarImpulsetransportationuasuavunmannedzephyrSat, 17 Jul 2010 18:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Boeing Phantom Eye unmanned spy plane stays aloft four days, sort of bums us out]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/boeing-phantom-eye-unmanned-spy-plane-stays-aloft-four-days-sor/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/boeing-phantom-eye-unmanned-spy-plane-stays-aloft-four-days-sor/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/boeing-phantom-eye-unmanned-spy-plane-stays-aloft-four-days-sor/#comments
Sometimes, in the seat of our despair (which almost always corresponds with a viewing of The Real Housewives of New Jersey), we reflect on the sorry state of the world and note that the one thing we don't have to doubt is that history is marching us towards a mechanized slaughter that will make World War I look like Burning Man (the rave, not the actual burning people). Sure, it never occurred to anyone to maybe figure out how to cap an undersea oil well, but at least we are making headway in our development of autonomous, long range aircraft (you know, for shooting people and eavesdropping and whatnot). Our latest example of a world gone mad comes courtesy of Boeing, and it's called Phantom Eye. The unmanned aircraft system looks something like a bowling pin with wings and can spend up to four days at 65,000 feet. Also featured on the craft is a hydrogen propulsion system that promises great fuel economy, and whose only byproduct is water. At the unveiling ceremony in St. Louis, Boeing Phantom Works president Darryl Davis noted that the "capabilities inherent" in its design "will offer game-changing opportunities for our military, civil and commercial customers." Awesome! Look for the device later this summer, when it begins a series of ground and taxi tests in preparation for its first flight early next year.

Continue reading Boeing Phantom Eye unmanned spy plane stays aloft four days, sort of bums us out

Boeing Phantom Eye unmanned spy plane stays aloft four days, sort of bums us out originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftautonomousboeingboeing phantom worksBoeingPhantomWorksdronehydrogenphantom eyePhantomEyetransportationuasuavunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehiclewargadgetTue, 13 Jul 2010 13:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Britain's Ministry of Defence unveils unmanned Taranis combat aircraft]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/britains-ministry-of-defence-unveils-unmanned-taranis-combat-ai/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/britains-ministry-of-defence-unveils-unmanned-taranis-combat-ai/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/britains-ministry-of-defence-unveils-unmanned-taranis-combat-ai/#comments
Well, it looks like Boeing's unmanned Phantom Ray stealth aircraft just got a bit of company courtesy of Britain's Ministry of Defence. It's now unveiled the BAE-built Taranis, which is not just an unmanned aircraft, but an unmanned combat aircraft that promises to be capable of penetrating enemy territory -- as opposed to something like a Predator drone that's only suitable for use if the airspace is under control. As you might expect, complete details on the aircraft are still being kept under wraps, but the MoD says there's "more than a million man hours" behind it, and that its first flight trials will begin early next year. And, no, "unmanned" doesn't mean autonomous -- the MoD is quick to point out that, "should such systems enter into service, they will at all times be under the control of highly trained military crews on the ground."

[Thanks, Rob]

Britain's Ministry of Defence unveils unmanned Taranis combat aircraft originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftbaebritainmilitaryministry of defenceministry of defenseMinistryOfDefenceMinistryOfDefensemodtaranisuavukunamnnedunmanned aircraftUnmannedAircraftMon, 12 Jul 2010 18:22:00 EST