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Epson Creates Tiny Flying Robot

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the really-expensive-remote-control-helicopters dept.

xyote writes "As reported by the Inquirer. More info on Epson's website with a nice picture with explanatory labels and all. It weighs a little over 10g, uses an 'ultra-thin ultrasonic' motor and Bluetooth for remote control." Epson is using the robot to showcase their micromechatronics technology, and by exhibiting it, they hope to discover and test problems with using robots in three dimensions.

5 of 261 comments (clear)

  1. Re:picture of a rendering of the thing... by randyest · · Score: 2, Informative

    No, it's real. The link to epson's site shows a photo of an actual device. The linked photo is for chekcing out the various parts.

    So, my questions: where can I buy one and how much?

    --
    everything in moderation
  2. Re:Where does the power come from? by Perl-Pusher · · Score: 5, Informative

    Power: 3.5 V
    Power consumption: 3 W
    Wireless module/control units: About 2.5 g
    Sensors: About 0.9 g
    Mechanism: About 5.1 g
    Total weight: About 8.9 g

    Seems to me it would have to be tethered
    2.5+5.1+0.9=8.5g
    Anyone know of a battery that can provide 3.5V @ 3W and only weighs .4 grams?

  3. Re:Ni-MH battery? by Bastian · · Score: 3, Informative

    I know micro RC planes often use tiny NiMH batteries. Some of the planes weigh in as light as seven grams, and it's not uncommon for the battery to give at least 10 minutes of flying time.

  4. What's available now - by 4ginandtonics · · Score: 2, Informative

    Here's what you can get in the way of small flying machines today:

    Ikarus Piccolo mini rc helicopter

    280 grams (.6 lb), about 50cm long (20 in)

    Some videos at dreamhobbies.com

    Good fun.

  5. Re:Featured Use? by MAJ+Rantage · · Score: 3, Informative

    As a former member of the U.S. Army and a veteran of the first Gulf War, I am well aware that armies are designed to go places and break things. In Basic Training we were taught how to shoot and use a bayonet, not how to distribute food off the back of a pickup truck.

    That said, the U.S. military is not full of bloodthirsty killers. Sure, you may occasionally run into the REMF yahoo who is eager to "go to war" but any soldier, sailor, airman or Marine with time under his or her belt will know the sobering facts of war: deployment away from ones' family and the potential loss of life.

    These guys also are well aware of the fact that you don't earn the trust and favor of the people you are trying to liberate by killing indiscriminately....which is the key motivation behind the development of smart munitions such as cruise missiles and laser-guided bombs.

    And these are the weapons that can be more accurately guided (not just at the bad guys but away from the innocents) by the kind of flying robot discussed earlier. If nothing else, it can give a squad leader a birds-eye-view of the area so he can avoid taking his people into an ambush or getting civilians caught in a crossfire.