iPhone-Controlled Helicopter With AR Games 51
Posted
by
Soulskill
from the get-to-da-ichoppa dept.
from the get-to-da-ichoppa dept.
andylim writes "Parrot has unveiled a remote-controlled helicopter that boasts augmented reality games. The helicopter is controlled using an iPhone or iPod Touch's accelerometer and touchscreen. There's a camera on the front of the helicopter, which you can use to navigate and to play augmented reality games, including a game that involves fighting a gigantic robot."
Re:An iPod? (Score:3, Insightful)
You hit the nail on the head: the problem is power/weight. Looking at the specs http://www.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/en/how-does-it-work#start/ [parrot.com] it looks like the batteries are expensive lithium-ion-polymer with "15 minutes battery autonomy", which I assume is a fancy way of saying that you get 15 minutes run flying time between recharging.
Re:Scale it up! (Score:3, Insightful)
Yep its what the US does best:
Re:Scale it up! (Score:2, Insightful)
People have already filled cars and trucks up with far more explosive power than you could put aboard a flying delivery droid.
Anyhow, since the government has armed UAVs, civilians should, too. There's a reason why our constitution prohibits the government from having a monopoly on weapons.
-jcr
Re:An iPod? (Score:3, Insightful)
The reason why iPhone/iPod touch makes such a great controller is because of the accelerometer's high sampling rate. It tops out at 400hz
I've been saying for months that the iPhone would make a great autopilot. It's cheap, it's light, it's got hours of battery life, it has GPS + compass + acceleration sensing, and the USB on the dock connector could easily be adapted to any of the USB servo controllers that are available off the shelf.
-jcr