Thu, Jan 23, 2014
Multi-Rotor Copter Will Fold Up Smaller Than Most Tablet Devices
A Kickstarter campaign has been established for a small tri-rotor copter called a "Pocket Drone" that reportedly can carry a GoPro-sized camera, but still fold up to a size smaller than most tablet devices. The company making the aircraft is AirDroids, and it says the Pocket Drone is "The ultimate heavy-lift microcopter."
The description on the Kickstarter website says 2014 will be "The Year of the Drone," and describes personal and professional photography taking off. They do not mention that such aircraft cannot be used for commercial purposes according to the FAA.
The aircraft's three arms all fold back, as do the rotors mounted at the ends of the arms, allowing the aircraft to be stowed in a bag smaller than a small shaving kit. Pocket Drone says that there are multiple controller options. One is included in the kit but it can also be controlled using any DSM compatible radio controller of any Android tablet with a USB port.
The aircraft has "state of the art flight controls," according to the website. It can fly following GPS waypoints, and has "Follow Me" and "Return to Home" functions. It will fly for 20 minutes on a single charge carrying a camera, according to the site.
AirDroids says the Pocket Drone will retail for under $500 ready to fly. With a camera that will capture 1080 HD video, it jumps to $595.
AirDroids set a modest $35,000 goal for their campaign. They have already received pledges for over 10 times that amount: $360,646 from 829 backers. There is still a month and a half left in their Kickstarter campaign.
(Image from AirDroids YouTube video)
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