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Epson Creates Tiny Flying Robot
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.
Nice - now all we need is a handy super miniature X10 cam to attach to it!
Seriously, what other useful projects than a camera could we attach to this little contraption?
"You have been trying to install third party ink cartridges...you will be assimilated..."
MY SECRET DIARIES
Maybe it is because I am currently listening to "They're Everywhere" and am a little paranoid because of it, but that could be used to remotely place bugs or be used for illegal survalience by the FBI or intelligence agencies anywhere, couldn't it?
Save Sam and Max!
...but the replacement wings will cost a fortune.
Communicates by bluetooth does it? Who's going to be the first to create an automatic fly swatter to take this thing out when it flys near? Of course I wouldn't build such a device because I personaly welcome our minature flying robot overlords. Sorry, got carried away there.
In the picture at the Epson site, it looks like there are power lines running off of the unit. The description makes no mention of having a battery attached to it. So yeah, maybe you have wireless control, but what's the point when you're tethered anyways?
Yeah, but does it Print?
The Crichton book, about swarms of nanobot robots. Is this our future, or just an interresting possible outcome?
Save Sam and Max!
So what kind of payload can these things carry? I bet if they beefed up the drive assembly even only slightly, it could carry enough VX poison to kill a specific target.
Slashdot is proof that Sturgeon's Law applies to mankind.
What the hell? Where did they get a name like that?
"Our use of micromechatronics will help us succeed in our quest", stated project lead Optimus Prime. "We will defeat the decepticons and obtain all minicons", he then went on to say. Megatron was unavailable for comment.
I like the phrase ...causes levitation by use of contra-rotating propellers.... Somehow, helicopters levitating sounds far more dramatic than simply flying. I guess the advantage of these things is that when the power runs out, they can autorotate to the ground. It looks a little like one of those Orgasmatron head massagers though ...
Don't go to a brothel if you want to buy broth
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
That little thing would totally get it's ass kicked on battlebots...
Question everything that you've accepted without thinking.
A big problem with all of the tiny flying devices is that you really can't use them outside. The problem is the wind. Even an imperceptible breeze can blow these things off course, making them incredibly painful to control. The Piccolo weighs in at about 250 grams or so and it's damn near impossible to control outside.
Plus it sounds like this Epson thing is tethered because there ain't no power source on it.
What was that paper about the CIA developing a dragonfly? It worked but they couldn't use it outside because it was too light.
These aren't nano-anything.
The robot is only $100 but replacement ink cartridges for it cost $50 each.
Until a hacker developes a firmware that lets it suck blood for fuel.
It's only a matter of time before someone puts a wee little bomb on one of these and kills someone with it. Or at least puts an eye out.
Then it's only a matter of time before someone makes a swarm of them with wee little bombs and turns them loose on a bigger target.
Then it's only a matter of time before someone makes a counterswarm of them.
Then slashdotters will have an unlimited number of slightly charred tiny flying robot parts to experiment with.
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Sadly, if you look at the very bottom of the page:
*Please note that this product is a prototype. There are no plans to market it as a commercial product.
I recently broke down and order one of these. It's not quite as small but should be a lot of fun if I can figure out how to fly it.
Maybe they won't need much in terms of batteries.
Maybe they can have photocells, and convert the energy they need from natural or artificial light sources. So, at night we could see a bunch of those thingies hitting their heads on street lamps.
Maybe they can fly down for a recharge every once in a while, landing on a bigger robot's back and sucking some electricity.
And maybe, if all else fails, we can leave them energized by a thin wire, hanging from the tip of a long rod. They won't get far, but if you leave the rod close to the water you may be able to fool and electrically stun an obtuse trout, which you will then take home for dinner.
Quem a paca cara compra, paca cara pagará.
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.
I seem to recall that it had some sort of immersive technology and that he crashed one and could feel it burning his hands or somesuch when it was destroyed? WOW, been a looooong time since I read that and now that you've mentioned it I remember it well although not the title or character names. Scary!
But also kind of cool - if an immersive headset were built for even a largish kind of flying toy I'd think it would be pretty cool! The micro helicopter review linked\mentioned above made for a good read and is certainly much closer to consumer reality...
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This is a research robot. It is for *experimenting*. Saying "what's the point" just because it is tethered is just lacking in imagination.
Epson have not created this so they can test out battery technology, but to experiment with the problems of robots that operate in three dimensions. This is about solving the problems of navigation and control, not power supply, that's a job for Duracell.
Not everything has to have an immediate use, commercial or otherwise, to be worthy of existance. To get from here to there, you have to got to all the places in between.
Have we become a population with such a short attention span that we can no longer appreciate the value of long-term research? Far too much research is being scuppered these days because people keep asking "but what's the use of it", and "can we make a profit". Can't we just appreciate it for it's coolness and leave them too it.
Perhaps I'm a pessimist, but I think that if this attitude continues to grow, we will ultimatly be screwed by a lack of blue-sky research.
Paul
Paul Leader
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.
My cat would love this thing.
Chip H.