AR.Drone QuadCopter API available

Erich_F

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I'm sure some of you have seen the new AR.Drone quad-copter that's been advertised by Parrot. The only problem with this new high tech bird is that it's controlled by an iPhone or iTouch. The APIs have been made available HERE.

What are the chances of some Android Dev getting in on this and writing a control App for the AR.Drone on Android? The Droid, with the physical KB and D-Pad would allow a much better interface and decluttered video screen. It would put the iPhone to shame as a control device. :icon_ banana:

So, who's in???

[video=youtube;V3KrFV0-WFw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3KrFV0-WFw&feature=player_embedded[/video]
 

soulpatch

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Someone needs to get on this and hell I woudl pay a small fee for it to pay for your time. This copter just looks badass and like a lot of fun. I love annoying my cats and dogs with my indoor helis now but would like the ability to do so from another room when I want. HA HA
 

aaf709

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I'm in. My father wants one too (even though his phone is a pay-for-minutes from T-Mobile).
 

soulpatch

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I woudl also use it for the user comferences for my job. I work for an aerospace company and thus this woudl fit into the cool gadget to entertain people on the show floor.
 
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Erich_F

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I woudl also use it for the user comferences for my job. I work for an aerospace company and thus this woudl fit into the cool gadget to entertain people on the show floor.

As a professional UAV specialist, I have to tell ya that similar technology in this form is about $18000. The $1200 price tag for this bird is not much more than complete Trex 450 outfit. This thing has serious potential, especially if ruggedized a bit more.

I would easily pay $50 for a thorough control app for this thing.

Soulpatch, do you ever go to AUVSI? This would be awesome to fly around in the exhibition hall. :)
 

soulpatch

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I woudl also use it for the user comferences for my job. I work for an aerospace company and thus this woudl fit into the cool gadget to entertain people on the show floor.

As a professional UAV specialist, I have to tell ya that similar technology in this form is about $18000. The $1200 price tag for this bird is not much more than complete Trex 450 outfit. This thing has serious potential, especially if ruggedized a bit more.

I would easily pay $50 for a thorough control app for this thing.

Soulpatch, do you ever go to AUVSI? This would be awesome to fly around in the exhibition hall. :)

Where did you see the price tag anywhere? All reports I had seen had this bird at well less then $500. If it is around the price you mention then it is no longer somethign I want. HA HA. I could just put a live feed cam on one of my helis and use that instead. Sure I would need a moniter AND a controller but no big deal there....


I have personally not been to AUVSI but I have a feeling my company has. I work for AGI which is getting more and more integrated into a lot of the UAV world with some of our SW. I am a business analyst so my role at conferences is more of a support to our big guns in terms of number and reports for presentations. I typically also only go to our own show and am on 24 hour call for every other show we go to....
 
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Erich_F

Erich_F

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Where did you see the price tag anywhere? All reports I had seen had this bird at well less then $500. If it is around the price you mention then it is no longer somethign I want. HA HA. I could just put a live feed cam on one of my helis and use that instead. Sure I would need a moniter AND a controller but no big deal there....

That's the price being thrown around in the RC Heli forums. Keep in mind, your RC heli with a cam on it will not have this level of autonomy. This thing will hover itself if you do nothing with the "controller". For your RC heli to do that, you'd need a $3500 DJI autopilot and a lot of video downlink gear.
 

soulpatch

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My MCX will hover in place without control inputs. The coax aides in that function but I can put down the controller and it will maintain its position. With 4 rotors it woudl be able to rotate at the same speed thus negating movement. If it has an internal balance then it would level off once it is not forced to move in a direction.

low quality cams with wireless capability are not that expensive either.


Note that for a normal heli to get a standalone hover that there are a lot of other forces coming into play since it has only 2 rotors which are fighting one another and not acting in unison like a coax would or other setups would. It woudl also not have anywhere NEAR the dynamic controls of a normal heli setup. 3D is out the window obviously as would the precise and agressive manuevers one could do on a heli like a TRex...
 
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Erich_F

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It woudl also not have anywhere NEAR the dynamic controls of a normal heli setup. 3D is out the window obviously as would the precise and agressive manuevers one could do on a heli like a TRex...

Apples n Oranges, my friend. I don't think anyone would buy the AR.Drone to satisfy the needs that a full blown RC heli model will provide for (3D Aerobatics).

This is intended as a fun toy with a camera and a revolutionary control/interface system. A personal UAV, so to speak. Not everything has to fly 3D for it to be fun :)
 

soulpatch

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It woudl also not have anywhere NEAR the dynamic controls of a normal heli setup. 3D is out the window obviously as would the precise and agressive manuevers one could do on a heli like a TRex...

Apples n Oranges, my friend. I don't think anyone would buy the AR.Drone to satisfy the needs that a full blown RC heli model will provide for (3D Aerobatics).

This is intended as a fun toy with a camera and a revolutionary control/interface system. A personal UAV, so to speak. Not everything has to fly 3D for it to be fun :)


That was the point of my post. The cost on RC Heli forums is equilivent of changing the dynamic machines we have to do THOSE things to ALSO do what this thing does.

In and of itself I see this selling for maybe $300 if not even less. You can already buy robots and such that do Wifi feats for around $200 and this is simply the same thing with rotors attached.

Oh and the most fun I have currently flying is with my cheap small co ax MCX heli. I just fly it around the house or in the office when I take it in. Sometimes the simplest things are the most fun. And the thing is damn near indestructable. So I do not have to spend a fortune on parts....
 

mitchb2

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I want one BAD!
Did the guy in the video say 50 minutes of flight time on a single charge? His accent was tough to understand.

I'm looking out for pricing on this. I've always wanted an RC chopper but was intimidated by the difficulty-level for flying them.

Can you record video on the iPhone as you fly?
 
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Erich_F

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I have heard $1200 on some of the helicopter forums. And no, don't expect more than 15 minutes of flight time, if that. Keep in mind that a new 450-size RC helicopter, is about $1200 to outfit...and it can't fly itself by video.
 

soulpatch

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I have heard $1200 on some of the helicopter forums. And no, don't expect more than 15 minutes of flight time, if that. Keep in mind that a new 450-size RC helicopter, is about $1200 to outfit...and it can't fly itself by video.


Dude CNet and others are reporting it should be around 500 if not less.

You seem to forget that this is not a 450 gas heli nor it is a brushless electric. It is just a hyped form of coax with vid tech on it and a basic computer to judge lean and recalc rotor speed.


And Parrot at the CES reported it would be 15 min most of flight time with a one hour charge.
 
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