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Epson's 12 Gram Flying Robot
fraxinus-tree writes "Epson has developed a very small (8.6g w/o battery) flying device, something like a bluetooth-controled palm-top helicopter." Since it can carry 5 grams for only 3 minutes, I can't imagine much practical use, but it's still neat.
After watching the video the first time I decided to watch it again and pay closer attention to the attendant's eyes.
It's almost as if she wasn't seeing the item flying in front of her. I felt like I was watching a poorly done movie + animated character sequence.
I don't doubt this item exists but I do have serious doubts about the origin of the video provided.
(blah! I hate when perssing "return" posts the story automatically)
This story was posted quite a while ago here.
It's still a cool little gizmo, though. I'd love one for Christmas!
This can fly for 3 minutes and can return video images.
Consider flying this (covertly) into a hostage situation, then shutting down the motor - how long could it return video then?
Or corporate espionage - fly this between the drop ceiling and the real ceiling, land over the boardroom.
Oh hell yes, I can see a lot of uses right now for this.
www.eFax.com are spammers
This is not a fake. I have been following this mans progress since he invented the Pixel micro heli like 6-7 years ago. I myself have several micro heli's and have seen many even smaller projects!
Check your facts!
Go read the micro-heli forums at www.ezonemag.com instead of spouting unsubstantiated claims.
Lemme guess you think the moon landing was a fake and the earth is flat?
If it can fly autonomously (not possible yet if you have to add more equipment like balance or barometric sensors and blow the thing's payload - but you can put the brainpower in the base station), it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. It could fly point to point in a warehouse on a security patrol, recharging at stops along the way. Automated inspections (attics, structual beams in large buildings, etc) could be done in detail with less strain on a manual pilot - you building inspector just watches the monitor and doesn't bother trying to fly the thing.
The big thing, of course, is adapting this technology to be used outside. Think of a swarm of these released from roadside base stations to check freeway bridges, dams, or structures, minutes after an earthquake. Or a version that works in fluid (really, a submarine) checking ship hulls for damage - on infestations of foreign organisms like zebra mussels - as they steam into port.
"Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."