Parrot AR.Drone: now flying in Australia
- — 23 November, 2010 15:33
Better known for its wireless mobile phone accessories, French company Parrot today announced the launch of the AR.Drone in Australia. The AR.Drone is a "quadricopter" that is controlled via an app specially designed for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
See photos of the Parrot AR.Drone in action.
Described by Parrot as a "flying video game", the AR.Drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that uses Wi-Fi technology to connect to an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch where it can be piloted using augmented reality. The Parrot AR.Drone generates its own Wi-Fi network on-board, with no need for an Internet connection or wireless router to play.
The AR.Drone weighs less than 500 grams and can fly up to 18 kilometres per hour. It can be controlled from up to 50 metres away. It features two built-in cameras that stream live video; the front-facing camera displays what the AR.Drone is seeing in front of it, and the bottom facing camera shows what is below it.
The flight of the AR.Drone is controlled by holding a virtual joystick in the app and tilting the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from side to side using the gyroscope on the device. Users can switch between cameras using the AR.Drone app, though the camera can't take still photos or record video.
Parrot claims the AR.Drone's four propellers with brushless motors mean the unit has much greater manoeuvrability and stability during piloting than regular remote control helicopters.
"The fact that this is a quadricopter and has four propellers makes it a lot easier to handle and more stable, and it is also resistant to wind", said Cristina Sanz Ortiz, chief marketing officer at Parrot.
The body of the AR.Drone is constructed from carbon fibre and "high resistance" plastic, and it has an accelerometer, two gyrometers and an ultrasound sensor. Parrot claims the AR.Drone is usable outdoors with winds up to 16kmph, while its battery lasts for up to 12 minutes of flying time before needing a 90 minute recharge.
The Linux-based software of the Parrot AR.Drone is open source. Parrot has provided a software development kit (SDK) on its Web site.
The Parrot AR.Drone is available in Australia from 30 November for $349, and will be sold exclusively through Telstra and Fone Zone stores.
Check out a video of the AR.Drone in action from the Australian media launch:
Comments
@dkeeghan
Tue 23/11/2010 - 21:49
I have one (got it through Amazon) and $350 is a bargain!! If they sell spare parts in Aus as well that would make it amazing!!!
In order to record video, you can purchase a $5 iPhone app called FlightRecord which allows you to take video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZeEY6vz_CY)
moldor
Wed 24/11/2010 - 11:34
How big is the flight battery ? My RC chopper gives me around 15 minutes flight time per charge, and after that you *need* to tale a break. Guess you can have multiple batteries ??
jay
Fri 26/11/2010 - 13:48
article is WRONG, onboard cameras CAN take photos and video, just need to use a different app from the app store, costs a few bucks too i think
all sorts of spare parts are available from amazon too, including the foam protective enclosure, rotor blades, cogs, even the plastic housing of the main body of the chopper.
How on earth did telstra get their grubby hands on the rights in aus? *boo hiss* recommend everyone buy from amazon, virtually the same price.
Dave
Fri 26/11/2010 - 18:38
Telstra meant to start selling in 4 days and yet all the stores I spoke too and several phone calls, no one at telstra even heard of it. I want one.
Baxter
Mon 11/07/2011 - 16:36
Lol what megapixles? its like 300x400 res on recording, but after u get into flying one of these babies with your computer and a ps3 controler... i dont even look at it anymore, i sit inside my room and explore the street from the live feed on my laptop haha and using the wasd keys make u feel boss :D my verdict... GET ONE NOW FROM WOW SIGHT AND SOUND!
Cam
Tue 23/11/2010 - 16:51
So cool! Pity it's $350, though - I would have bought one if it were $200 or so.