Remote-controlled helicopters are not new, but Parrot's AR.Drone Quadricopter (a four propeller helicopter) is one such flying gizmo that is sure to make your pulse racing. The AR. Drone, the coolest of all high-tech toys, is a battery-powered quadricopter that you control with your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad using a free application called Free Flight over Wi-Fi. The AR.Drone combines real and virtual worlds to offer an unparalleled gaming experience. Here's a look at this amazing gadget.
Remote-controlled helicopters are not new, but Parrot's AR.Drone Quadricopter (a four propeller helicopter) is one such flying gizmo that is sure to make your pulse racing. The AR. Drone, the coolest of all high-tech toys, is a battery-powered quadricopter that you control with your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad using a free application called Free Flight over Wi-Fi. The AR.Drone combines real and virtual worlds to offer an unparalleled gaming experience. Here's a look at this amazing gadget. (AFP Photo)
To set the AR.Drone in motion, all you have to do is sync your iPhone with the device via Wi-Fi. Then just tap a button on the screen and the device takes to the air all by itself. The AR.Drone floats effortlessly through the air and has all of the self-righting capabilities. You can fly it inside or out, anywhere you like.
The copter is about the size of a large pizza and weighs less than a pound. One amazing feature of AR. Drone is that it automatically stabilizes itself when you release the control buttons (or get a phone call!). (AFP Photo)
People test the AR. Drone quadricopter at Brookstone's Rockefeller Center store on November 10, 2010 in New York. (Photo: AFP)
The device is packed full of technology, including two video cameras, a three-axis accelerometer, two gryometers, an ultrasound sensor, a tiny computer system that is able to control the device when you are unable to do so. (Photo: AFP)
You can fly the copter even inside buildings and if you get into trouble, there's also an emergency landing button that shuts off the motors and drops the unit to the ground. (Photo: AFP)
You can control all aspects of the flight by tilting the iPhone from side to side. (Photo: AFP)
If in case you don't have a good cellular or Wi-Fi connection, then you don't need to worry. The copter has its own Wi-Fi system to communicate directly with the iPhone. (Photo: AFP)
Parrot AR.Drone has a range of up to 50 meters (164 feet), an operating time of about 12 minutes, a charging time of about 90 minutes.
Promoters of the AR. Drone quadricopter controlling the device at Brookstone's Rockefeller Center store on November 10, 2010 in New York. (Photo: AFP)
Parrot plans to update its app with augmented reality games. The company sees the future possibilities of this flying gizmo as unlimited.
