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Hummingbird-Size Wing-Flapping Drone Unveiled

Posted by Soulskill on from the time-to-fill-your-bird-feeder-with-batteries dept.

garymortimer writes "AeroVironment, Inc. has demonstrated a tiny new drone called a 'Nano Hummingbird.' The hand-made prototype aircraft has a wingspan of 16 centimeters (6.5 inches) tip-to-tip and has a total flying weight of 19 grams (2/3 ounce), which is less than the weight of a common AA battery. This includes all the systems required for flight; batteries, motors, communications systems and video camera. The aircraft can be fitted with a removable body fairing, which is shaped to have the appearance of a real hummingbird. The aircraft is larger and heavier than an average hummingbird, but is smaller and lighter than the largest hummingbird currently found in nature."

2 of 108 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Can someone make sense? by Nidi62 · · Score: 3, Informative

    The largest hummingbird species are bigger and heavier than the drone, but the average of all the hummingbird species is smaller and lighter than the drone. So, while it's bigger than what a hummingbird is likely to be, it is not so big that it couldn't possibly be disguised as a hummingbird.

    --
    The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
  2. Flight video of test criteria by SnoopJeDi · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's a youtube video of the drone meeting several of these criteria. http://youtu.be/a8ZbtZqH6Io