Posts Tagged ‘drone’
Jul15
Pokedrone to work alongside Pokemon Go
2016 at 08:35 pm by admin | Comments Off
Users of the recently released Pokémon Go app are trying to find every way they can to catch ‘em all, and tech company TRNDlabs are helping out with their newly announced Pokédrone! The Pokédrone will consist of a miniature remote-control quadcopter, and controller that will attach to the phones of Pokémon Go users. The phone will connect via WiFi to the Pokédrone, and use the drone’s on-board camera and GPS system to take to the skies to find Pokémon remotely! The drone will help users look for and find Pokémon that are in hard-to-reach places, such as over water, near cliffs, and other hazardous locations where it would be unsafe to be using the program. The drone will also feature an auto take-off & landing feature, allowing users to easily land and retrieve their Pokédrone after use! While no release date or price point has been stated, TRNDlabs has unveiled a first look trailer at the Pokédrone, which you can check out below!
Jun06
Airbus’ innovative new 3D-printed plane
2016 at 08:38 pm by admin | Comments Off
Airbus, leading aircraft manufacturer, has revealed their newest innovation: a 3D-printed airplane! The plane, called Thor, was unveiled at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin, Germany, and shows off what innovations Airbus has come up with to introduce 3D printing to the manufacturing industry. The plane, which measures 13 feet long and weighing in at only 46 pounds, was designed as an affordable, easy-to-construct drone, as well as a testbed for future 3D-printing technologies that may be implemented into full-scale planes in the future. The Thor is composed of polyamide, and outside of the necessary electrical elements that allow it to fly, all of the Thor’s pieces are made from this material, such as the rotors, landing gear, and hull pieces. With the promise of alleviating air pollution and construction costs, Airbus is looking forward to the future of 3D printing in the airplane industry.
Oct06
Harvard’s tiny drones can fly & swim
2015 at 11:53 am by admin | Comments Off
Scientists and engineers at Harvard University have developed a miniature 100mg drone that is both able to fly as well as swim! The drone, known as the RoboBee, lives up to its name by emulating the flight pattern and wing construction of everyday bees, beating its tiny wings at a rate of 120 Hz in order to achieve flight. However, unlike their natural relatives, the RoboBee is also able to use its wings swim and tread water, allowing it to function in both the air and underwater. The drone is even able to easily transition from flying to swimming, and vice versa! Harvard scientists hope to make the RoboBees truly autonomous, and may one day be used in off-shore activities.
May13
Lily makes debut as retail camera drone
2015 at 11:08 am by admin | Comments Off
Meet Lily, the latest in autonomous drone technology ready to hit shelves around the world! Lily, which began as a hobby project at a UC Berkeley robotics lab in 2013, strives to take homemade photography and cinematography to the next level by offering a completely user-free experience; just throw Lily into the air to activate it, and it will autonomously record your every move! The drone follows its user through the use of a tracking device, which also allows Lily to be programmed to take photos and videos in various modes and tracking positions. Through specially designed optics, Lily is able to take 1080p high definition videos, and can even take 12 megapixel still photos and slow-motion video! Lily is also waterproof, allowing use of the drone in a wide variety of environments and situations. Lily, which is scheduled to release in February 2016, is currently available for pre-order for $499.
Sep25
Facebook planes to spread Wi-Fi worldwide
2014 at 03:03 pm by admin | Comments Off
Internet social website Facebook recently detailed its plans to spread Wi-Fi internet connectivity worldwide through the use of large-scale drones. These plans come as a result of a merger with self-sustaining drone company Ascenta, whom had previously been experimenting with prototypes for large solar-powered drones. Facebook plans to use these drones, flying constantly at 60,000 to 90,000 feet above the surface, to bring Internet connectivity to people all across the world, especially in remote and unconnected countries and areas. The drones, which will be roughly the size of large jumbo jets like the 747, will be solar-powered and could potentially stay self-sustained and airborne for years at a time!
In order to announce the upcoming project, along with their partnership with Ascenta and telecommunications companies, a short video was released by Facebook earlier this year that hints at future prospects of the project, as well as giving us our first look at a prototype of the craft. Facebook has announced their plans to begin testing these vehicles in US airspace by 2015, with worldwide deployment in three to five years. While details on this project are slim, people across the world can look forward to constant access to the internet and integral services if these drones take flight!