Parrot AR.Drone: now flying in Australia
- — 23 November, 2010 15:33
Better known for its wireless mobile phone accessories, French company Parrot today announced the launch of the AR.Drone in Australia. The AR.Drone is a "quadricopter" that is controlled via an app specially designed for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
See photos of the Parrot AR.Drone in action.
Described by Parrot as a "flying video game", the AR.Drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that uses Wi-Fi technology to connect to an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch where it can be piloted using augmented reality. The Parrot AR.Drone generates its own Wi-Fi network on-board, with no need for an Internet connection or wireless router to play.
The AR.Drone weighs less than 500 grams and can fly up to 18 kilometres per hour. It can be controlled from up to 50 metres away. It features two built-in cameras that stream live video; the front-facing camera displays what the AR.Drone is seeing in front of it, and the bottom facing camera shows what is below it.
The flight of the AR.Drone is controlled by holding a virtual joystick in the app and tilting the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from side to side using the gyroscope on the device. Users can switch between cameras using the AR.Drone app, though the camera can't take still photos or record video.
Parrot claims the AR.Drone's four propellers with brushless motors mean the unit has much greater manoeuvrability and stability during piloting than regular remote control helicopters.
"The fact that this is a quadricopter and has four propellers makes it a lot easier to handle and more stable, and it is also resistant to wind", said Cristina Sanz Ortiz, chief marketing officer at Parrot.
The body of the AR.Drone is constructed from carbon fibre and "high resistance" plastic, and it has an accelerometer, two gyrometers and an ultrasound sensor. Parrot claims the AR.Drone is usable outdoors with winds up to 16kmph, while its battery lasts for up to 12 minutes of flying time before needing a 90 minute recharge.
The Linux-based software of the Parrot AR.Drone is open source. Parrot has provided a software development kit (SDK) on its Web site.
The Parrot AR.Drone is available in Australia from 30 November for $349, and will be sold exclusively through Telstra and Fone Zone stores.
Check out a video of the AR.Drone in action from the Australian media launch:
Comments
Kano
1
I want one!,, rang 4 Telstra shops today and none had even heard of it?..... Will they be selling parts also?
BobTov
2
I got mine from Amazon ...
Nick
3
Been into 2 telstra shops today and attempted to call another one. The Telstra staff have never heard of it.
John
4
Went to a phone zone today, they have them, but won't sell them unless you get a phone with a plan. That SUX
paul
5
Very bad product launch no stores have then execpt phone zone
and they want a 2 year contract with a phone to get one very very bad.You should launch a product and back it up, not let phone zone hold it to a 2 year ransom,can't see it selling very good that way
Bruce
6
If you live Perth, you can buy the drone from the telstra shop from the hay store in the city, be warned limited stocks
Barky
7
Ordered mine from Amazon in the States total $364 including shipping ( they gave A $32 promo discount) on Friday, it was delivered to front door Monday arvo. Everything all good as ordered
gambit
8
Just rang, and rang, every shop that would, could, might sell these... it seems that the market isn't there, as none of the shops had them in stock or had heard of them. buy from amazon, cheaper and faster than getting them in the shops... Oh well..retailers loss out again due to their lack of fore-sight