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Micro-Helicopter Fun

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the get-it-with-napalm-dispensers dept.

zymano writes "Now this is a cool toy for the office or home! RC microhelicopter here that is flat out cool but not for sale. So small that it can drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee. It's 100 grams or lighter now. Some gallerys and videos on the page. You can buy one here and here."

57 of 201 comments (clear)

  1. Once we can get a couple of Mini Sams by Angry+White+Guy · · Score: 5, Funny

    then my micro military will be complete!

    --
    You think that I'm crazy, you should see this guy!
  2. Man... by gvonk · · Score: 5, Funny


    OK now. Seriously. Whoever wrote that blurb had their RC helicopter drop some seriously fucked-up sugar cubes in their coffee this morning. "It's not for sale" "buy one here" "Some gallerys and videos on the page" "100 grams or lighter now."

    Lay off the acid, please...

    --


    El Karma: excelente(principalmente la suma de moderación hecha a los comentarios de los usuarios)
    1. Re:Man... by troc · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yeah, having had a look, the ultralight one they are talking about cannot be bought (the pixel X thing) and the links are to small helicopters you can buy.

      Which aren't under 100 grams etc etc.

      So the blurb should read "here is a very light helicopter you can't buy and here are some that are a bit heavier but which are for sale" ;)

      Troc

      --
      Troc's dubious podcast and blog: http://www.trocnet.net
    2. Re:Man... by TopShelf · · Score: 2, Funny
      "Lay off the acid, please..."

      Or at least bring enough to share with the rest of the class.

      --
      Stop by my site where I write about ERP systems & more
    3. Re:Man... by SEWilco · · Score: 5, Funny
      That phrasing "So small that it can drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee." isn't too great either, as it isn't an indicator of being small.

      Sikorsky makes helicopters that can also drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee, or can drop an 18-wheeled truck full of sugar into your cup of coffee.

    4. Re:Man... by UrGeek · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Oh, man! Sikorsky does NOT make a single helicopter that can:

      Land on my kitchen counter and be loaded with a sugar cube, then take off and fly the 11 feet to my coffee table and drop that cube in my cup.

      I don't even think they make one that will fit through my apartment door! Not with the rotors fully deployed.

      Get real!

  3. I wonder.... by Chris_Stankowitz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If something like this could be used for making films. The idea being scaled modles of a scene. That would really help out student film projects, giving them something better to work with than plastice models and fishline.

    1. Re:I wonder.... by barryfandango · · Score: 2

      sounds like fun - attach a lightweight, solid state wireless video camera to one of these and it would be endless fun for surveillance! Perhaps with the RF unit connected to a serial port and a video output on the screen you could carry out all sorts of remote missions.

      --
      In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane. -Oscar Wilde
    2. Re:I wonder.... by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Interesting
      These little tiny helicopters are seriously difficult to fly. Of course, all of them are. But should you take the time to master flying them without running them into walls, you will now have to worry about anchoring every little model on your set as the wind to push even a light heli around is not inconsiderable.

      Also, because of the fact that they are lighter and smaller, they will not move anything like a real helicopter. Clever work with models will produce more realistic-looking motion.

      Ultimately, CPU power getting endlessly cheaper should provide the solution to your problem. :P

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:I wonder.... by norite · · Score: 2, Informative

      I once saw a military helicopter do a roll once, at an air show...quite a sight that was!!

      --
      -- Fuck Beta
  4. When are companies going to by Angry+White+Guy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    build a USB controller for these things? I'd love to be able to run a network of these things from my pc.

    --
    You think that I'm crazy, you should see this guy!
    1. Re:When are companies going to by jgerman · · Score: 2, Informative

      Go get a USB on a chip, you can pick one up from Digikey. Build a controller.

      --
      I'm the big fish in the big pond bitch.
    2. Re:When are companies going to by cap'n+foolsy · · Score: 5, Funny

      yes, get enough of these things, and buy a few remote controlled tanks as well. put them all in a sandbox and you can have your own mini gulf war :D

      but of course you'll have to buy a few cans of oil to put under the sandbox, just for realism...

      --
      It might look like I'm standing motionless, but I'm actively waiting for my problems to go away
    3. Re:When are companies going to by tramm · · Score: 2
      Angry white guy wrote:
      When are companies going to build a USB controller for these things?
      Rotomotion will sell you an embedded Linux based autopilot that you control with 802.11. It's not USB -- it is even better. Their products are based on the GPLed autopilot.sourceforge.net code and designs.
      --
      -- http://www.swcp.com/~hudson/
  5. RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Pixel's aren't for sale, but some other models are. Geez.

  6. Finally by The-Bus · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've had this model fake volcano/mountain for like six years, and it took until now to find the appropriate mini-Airwolf. Now I just need to order one of these babies, paint it black, and get out my Ernest Borgnine figurine.

    *starts humming Airwolf theme*

    --

    Small potatoes make the steak look bigger.

    1. Re:Finally by gotroot801 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I've had this model fake volcano/mountain for like six years, and it took until now to find the appropriate mini-Airwolf. Now I just need to order one of these babies, paint it black, and get out my Ernest Borgnine figurine.

      ...or just order the Airwolf fuselage halfway down the first order page...

  7. Flying Assassin by zwaffle · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Coupled with a wireless camera link, this would make a perfect recon system for the military or law enforcement. Add a weapon to it,...

    1. Re:Flying Assassin by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Informative

      You've never flown a RC heliocopter before have you.

      they are insanely difficult to fly weighing 16 pounds and having a 1-2 horsepower gas engine in a light breeze.. this little guy needs to fly in ZERO wind because of it's tiny weight. I am not an expert but after flying a gas powered RC chopper for 5 minutes I was exausted. the experts refuse to fly in anything other than a steady wind that is less than 10 mph gusty is asking for trouble and these things will instantly chase after any passing vehicle without the pilot wanting it to.

      so if your intended target is sitting in a gym WITHOUT the ac running or any fans and won't move away from the attacking toy then your idea will work, otherwise pick a less dramatic deployment mechanisim that attracts less attention and doesnt feel like a poorly written James Bond novel.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:Flying Assassin by GrEp · · Score: 4, Funny

      Couple that with 20 other helos, GPS, and some swarming software. Then the military might buy it. (As long as the enemy doesn't have "BIG FAN" technology). Kind of scary that we are getting close to the technology of Terminator, where robots are on a better footing than man on the battlefield. All we need is that singularity...

      --

      bash-2.04$
      bash-2.04$yes "Don't you hate dialup connections?"| write USERNAME
  8. Aarh! by FrostedWheat · · Score: 5, Funny

    They better be careful or they are gonna decapitate that poor chick!

    1. Re:Aarh! by FrostedWheat · · Score: 2, Funny

      Noooo! It's to late!

    2. Re:Aarh! by trikberg · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's about the worst thing they could have used for size comparison. They should've used something with a standard size, for example a Coke can.

      --
      This post is free (as in cheese in a mousetrap).
    3. Re:Aarh! by realdpk · · Score: 4, Funny

      Or a football field.

  9. Re:Huh? by croddy · · Score: 2, Informative

    RTFA. [here] and [here] are similar uhelicopters; the Pixel is a prototype only.

  10. Re:sale? by troc · · Score: 5, Funny

    surely you mean "cheep" :)

    Troc

    --
    Troc's dubious podcast and blog: http://www.trocnet.net
  11. This thing kicks ass by Omkar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It also reminds me of the opening of MIB - you see an insect, it looks like highly advanced tech. Then it splats onto a windshield. This sort of durability limits battlefied (and many other) apps, right?

    1. Re:This thing kicks ass by Jerf · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The idea is to make them so cheap that you don't care that you loose a couple; taking them all out over any significant area would require a nuke (literally). (Or a nuke-powered EMP device. EMP is cool and it works but it eats energy like nobody's business.)

      Small things are inherently limited in capability, yes, which is one of the reasons the gray-goo fears are unfounded; nanomachines are only invincible ravenous beasts in science-fiction. In reality it would probably be little more then an annoyance, and gray-goo-type nanomachines would be easily destroyed with the simple application of heat, radiation, or nearly anything else. These helicopters will be able to take a far wider range of environmental conditions then microscopic-scale machines, and we still think of the helicopters as fragile...

  12. The Matrix... by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 5, Funny

    'Can you fly that thing?'

    'Not yet.'

    *makes phone call*

    'Tank, I need to fly a chick-sized mini-helicopter.'

    *eyes flutter*

    'Let's go.'

    --
    "I only speak the truth"
    Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
  13. So small that it can drop a sugar cube... by jaydeekay · · Score: 5, Funny
    Couldn't a Chinnook or a B2 Bomber drop a sugar cube into my coffee?

    I'm not sure this really says much about how small these coptors are.

    1. Re:So small that it can drop a sugar cube... by pacc · · Score: 2, Funny

      The Sugar industry ought to beg for funding to develop laser-guided sugarcubes instead of lobbying for withdrawn funds for WHO

  14. This is hardly new by MikeStammer · · Score: 5, Interesting

    These arent as micro as micro gets in the heli world! They are small, but not as small as home made kits. These birds also are NOT ballsy (is that a word?) enough to hoist around a camera, let alone a weapon. There are helis that can and do do that. Check this out: http://www.mh.ttu.ee/risto/index.htm He hooked a camera and GPS to his logo and posted some video. cool stuff!

    --
    Mike Stammer
  15. You don't need a big gun by simgod · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ... just a toxic needle in a air-compressed tube and you are ready for an assasination...

  16. Real video games now!! comanche here I come by mnmn · · Score: 4, Funny


    Thats really cool what I just saw. I think my priorities have been reshuffled now, I need to save up for this.

    Then buy a couple with rubber-band missles and do a real lanparty. Better yet small ink canisters to really mess up the opponent on his chair if his copter cant stop yours.

    Or even strap on a teeny camera with a bluetooth transmitter and send it...... places......

    --
    "Give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you." -Nim Chimpsky
  17. Pixel vs obtainable RC helis by g5g5g5 · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Pixel page has been around for some time, and has served as inspiration for many RC enthusiasts to get in to electric helicopters. While the Pixel is not for sale, the Piccolo is a great place to start the hobby.
    http://www.ikarus-modellbau.de/ubbthreads/ postlist .php?Cat=&Board=UBB1
    Here is a bbs for the product.

  18. Re:Can't buy one? by gerf · · Score: 4, Informative

    The first link is to the prototype page, of the guy who designed the first and second versions in his garage. the last two are of the commercial, buyable version. 'nuff said

  19. Re:spamdot.org? by PortWineBoy · · Score: 2

    Yea, I have to wonder how long it will be until we see reviews of Mini RC cars. Not that they don't look cool, but I have to believe that nothing touted via spam works...I could be wrong, but then we'd all be B I G G E R.

    --

    this sig deleted by another sig

  20. First videos don't work by derbs · · Score: 5, Informative

    The first videos seem to 404. Try this: http://www.planetinternet.be/pixel/clipfp1.avi (8.1mb)

  21. These are common by andrewm · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here's a review of another small one:

    http://rcgroups.com/links/index.php?t=article&ca t= 198&id=4144

    Fits in the palm of one hand.

  22. Danger! Decapitation Risk. by Yorrike · · Score: 2, Funny

    The site proclaims these machines to be small enough to fly inside. . . . wouldn't that be the most dangerous toy ever? It'd be like a tiny flying lawn mower!

    --

    Looks can be deceiving. Or CAN they?

  23. Bigger than a micro, but 100 g sugar no problem by wwwillem · · Score: 2, Interesting
    If you like to kick it up a notch, check out www.flycam.nl. These machines are app. 2 meter long and can carry an 11 kg payload, so that should be enough for your sugar cubes :-). To get details and specs, click the site-map link.

    I once read somewhere that these helicopters go for a price of 30-40 thousand. Same as a car....

    --
    Browsers shouldn't have a back button!! It's all about going forward...
  24. This really ain't news but anyway by NorthDude · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you look carefully, the site as seen its last update 2 years ago.

    Those were hand made, but the guy helped IKarus to design the Eco Piccolo which is really small and comes in a kit form.
    Then, there is also the MS Composite Hornet, which I personally prefer. Those 2 are a lot of fun to fly, but you have to be dedicated to them, because they need a lot of tweeking to get every bit of power from the cells, extra care must also be taken because of their small form. And they are also everything but cheap...
    Anyway, a very geeky hobby that's for sure...

    --


    I'd rather be sailing...
    1. Re:This really ain't news but anyway by telstar · · Score: 2, Funny
      "If you look carefully, the site as seen its last update 2 years ago."
      • Yeah, sadly the site owner has been bleeding out on the floor for the past two years after being decapitated with one of his toy copters... I guess that explains why they're not available for sale.

  25. Tethered, but still great fun... by Boss,+Pointy+Haired · · Score: 3, Informative

    I recently bought one of these - it's a tethered indoor model heli - and some of the best fun you can have with your clothes on. It comes with a computer based sim so you can plug the actual controller into your PC and try and minimise damage to your living room.

    Around £200 in the UK. I now have to redecorate as a result of buying mine.

  26. BROKEN LINK - See here for Snelflight Hoverfly by Boss,+Pointy+Haired · · Score: 4, Informative

    Oooops.

    Snelflight

  27. Sorry, by MondoMor · · Score: 2, Funny

    Even with a gyro keeping the tail steady, it still takes two hands to fly. Even to hover.

    A better way to kick the porn habit is to glue sandpaper to your hands, pillow and realdoll.

  28. I prefer the Mini Flying Saucer by nyc_paladin · · Score: 2, Informative

    The mini RC helicopter is good and all but for covert operations you need a mini airship.

    --
    All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. --Edmund Burke
  29. How hard is helicopter AI control? by Boss,+Pointy+Haired · · Score: 2, Interesting

    How hard would this be to do?

    Flying a model (or real helicopter) for that matter require continuous delicate feedback - far more than flying a fixed wing aircraft.

    Do modern real heli's have auto-pilot? I'm sure they do; but how hard would it be to incorporate the necessary sensors into the model of this size and have controlled by computer?

    1. Re:How hard is helicopter AI control? by AndrewHowe · · Score: 2, Informative

      autopilot.
      You're welcome.

    2. Re:How hard is helicopter AI control? by aberson · · Score: 3, Interesting

      CMU has one called HELI. Supposedly, it was being considered to fly over the Somerset crash site on 9/11 to map out the area, but the authorities decided that if it crashed also, it would just complicate the crash site more. Lots of other places have similar creatures. There's also the Aerial Robotics Competition

  30. $500 by mao+che+minh · · Score: 4, Insightful
    The entire collection of required parts is a mere $500, imagine, for only $500 you get seven fiendishly action packed minutes of zany flight time! (unless you pay an extra $100 for the better battery, which will buy you 12 minutes)

    I'm sorry, but I could have a lot more fun with $500:

    1. A night out with my girl
    2. A GeForce 4 ti4200
    3. 256MB more RAM
    4. The new issue of Maxim with Tyra Banks on the cover
    5. Jergen's Extra Silky Smooth Antibacterial lotion
    5. An eight ball of white
    6. A better web host because The Effect made my mini-PC-heli fan page go bye-bye

  31. There are a quite a few ... by burgburgburg · · Score: 2, Funny

    commercially produced Ernest Borgnine figures out there. I personally have in my collection The Wild Bunch Ernest Borgnine, The Posiden Adventure Ernest Borgnine, the Marty Ernest Borgnine. And I'm waiting for delivery of the Single Guy Ernest Borgnine!

  32. Similar one, but much cheaper... by Ewan · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://www.wes-technik.de/English/helistar.htm

    only 120grammes, and only 199Euros, which is pretty much $200.

  33. Wait a second.. by mog · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's not a tiny helicopter - that's a giant chick! Let me be the first to surrender to our new master, this world-eating baby chicken!

  34. Impress me by schnitzi · · Score: 4, Funny
    So small that it can drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee.

    You want to impress me, build a helicopter so small it CAN'T drop a sugar cube into your cup of coffee.

    --



    I object to that article, and to the next reply.
  35. Warning! by IWannaBeAnAC · · Score: 4, Informative
    Think really hard and do some research before you buy an RC helicopter. They are not easy to fly, and it takes a *lot* of practice to even get to the first step of being able to just hover.

    Expect to have frequent, expensive crashes while learning how to fly. You will do save yourself a huge amount of time if you spend a few hours (or even a few minutes) browsing some RC forums before toy buy. eg, http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/index.php is a good start.

    Also, a mini RC helicopter is much harder to fly than a larger, specially designed trainer. Be warned.

  36. Great! by GregoryD · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Now call me when they are able to make em 1/10th the size and put wireless cameras on em as well. Imagine to be a fly on the wall of a woman's locker room. Oh yeah, soon I can be! woohoo! go technology! I think this male fantasy is driving micro technology and 3d technology as well. sign me up for the beta!