V-Coptr Falcon Drone
The V-Coptr Falcon Drone is comin' out bi. Described by maker Zero Zero Robotics as "the world's first V-shaped bi-copter," the V-Coptr Falcon ditches one pair of arms and propellers in favor of a dual-rotor propulsion system that makes the drone take flight like a bird of prey.
Zero Zero Robotics reports that the V-Coptr Falcon's winged design isn't just a stylistic gimmick, but, in combination with the company's proprietary tilt rotor technology, allows the drone to soar for an impressive 50 minutes of flight time per charge. In addition, the bi-copter's unique propellers and a calibrated slower rotation during flight allow for higher efficiency, quieter takeoffs.
In flight, the V-Coptr Falcon can shoot 4K video at 30fps, and 12MP photographs. Drone stability and agility in maneuvering and filming come from the nonlinear dynamic modeling and control algorithms powering its tilt rotor technology, plus a 3-axis mechanical gimbal with a yaw control range of plus or minus 80 degrees.
The Falcon also has an autofollow feature, with upgraded visual tracking algorithms for dodging obstacles and sensing its surroundings.
Muchas danke to Bless This Stuff.
/the-best-rc-toys-for-adults-33556.jpg?mode=crop "The Best RC Toys for Adults")
The Best RC Toys for Adults
The best RC toys for adults span well beyond remote control cars and drones. In the case of the giant RC Bald Eagle, a full 9-1/2-foot wingspan beyond remote control cars and drones. And, honestly, I'm kind of over drones...
/airdog-auto-follow-drone-for-13405.jpg "AirDog Auto-Follow Drone for GoPro")
AirDog Auto-Follow Drone for GoPro
Looks like tech that autonomously follows its owner around could be the next trend in Stuff You Can't Believe Is Real. Well, maybe not entirely autonomously. Like the HEXO+ and Double the roaming robotic iPad
/ehang184-life-size-rideable-20674.jpg?mode=crop "EHang 184 AAV - Life-Size Rideable Drone")
EHang 184 AAV - Life-Size Rideable Drone
EHang cut its teeth on drone manufacturing a couple years ago with the GHOSTDRONE, a quadcopter they dub "smart" and "the easiest drone to fly in the world." But now it's 2016. Smart and easy to fly are standards. EHang...
/jetson-one-personal-electric-51537.jpg?mode=crop "Jetson ONE Personal Electric Aerial Vehicle")
Jetson ONE Personal Electric Aerial Vehicle
Jetson calls their Jetson ONE "a commercially available personal electric aerial vehicle that you can own and fly." For our purposes, we'll call it a human-totin' drone...
Taxidermy Animal Drones
When I first read about, but hadn't yet seen, Copter Company's taxidermy animal drones I though they just sounded kinda goofy. Then I got a look at the Orvillecopter here. A spread-eagle taxidermied quad-cat-ter flying...
Crazyflie Nano Quadcopter
Whether or not this nano quadcopter flies is entirely up to you. I mean up to your skillz. The Crazyflie is an open source DIY kit primed for development and hacking, but its assembly demands proficiency in soldering...
/nixie-flying-wearable-camera-20707.jpg?mode=crop "Nixie Flying Wearable Camera")
Nixie Flying Wearable Camera
The Nixie may be a ways from reality--and your wrist--but its live demo debut at CES 2016 proves it's a lot more than a few mockup drawings and some dude's dream (or, in this case, a dude and a dudette). The wearable...
/dronegun-tactical-portable-31018.jpg?mode=crop "DroneGun Tactical - Portable Drone Countermeasure")
DroneGun Tactical - Portable Drone Countermeasure
Are you sick of real estate agents getting aerial footage of new listings in your area? Drone Shield has you covered. Finally a safe way to bring down those quadcopters from the sky without having to fire a single shot...
Lily Autonomous Drone Camera
My friend Cornelius and I threw a Lily in the air once in 6th grade. She dropped like a sack of twice-baked bacon and brown butter potatoes. (Don't worry, there was a lake there to catch her.) But throw this Lily in the...
/paladyne-e1000mp-drone-jammer-46243.jpg?mode=crop "Paladyne E1000MP Drone Jammer")
Paladyne E1000MP Drone Jammer
Drone Defence says the Paladyne E1000MP is a drone jammer, part of a series of portable "electronic countermeasures" designed to jack up the command, video, and navigation signals of IIIFOs. Identified, intrusive, and...
B - The RC Hybrid Car-Helicopter
I can't fit inside it. That's the primary downside to B, a patent-pending, remote-controlled car-helicopter hybrid capable of plowing along unfriendly terrain and then, when said terrain turns too rugged, lifting off...
/aire-self-flying-robotic-home-28916.jpg?mode=crop "Aire Self-Flying Robotic Home Assistant")
Aire Self-Flying Robotic Home Assistant
Aire's approach, a robotic home assistant that flies autonomously, is verrrry interesting. Especially considering my first order of business when I catch something flying autonomously around my condo is to swat or Bug-A-Salt...