Crazyflie, the itty bitty quadcopter that uses a PCB for its frame is at the cusp of being able to fly without a PC. We were enamored with it when we first spotted it, and the Crazyflie has only gotten better. As you can see, a new PCB gives it a slightly more stylized look, but that’s not all. There have been major improvements to the design of the software, and various parts of the hardware. They’re waiting for the final prototype to arrive from the factory to test the ultimate goal, PC-less flight. We’re not sure why this tiny quadcopter is so enthralling, but it sure has us captivated.
Be sure to check out another flight video after the break.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi450jjosXo
Cool, but if I heard it coming I’d haul ass. Sounds like a swarm of bees…
A swarm of these would be ace
I just want to find a place to get propellers that small. I think they pulled them off a cheap RC plane (walmart, toys-r-us or the like), but I’m unwilling to shell out $40 for 4 tiny props.
you can get a set of replacement parts for a syma 107 on amazon with prime shipping for 3.99 and includes 2 rear propellers. http://www.amazon.com/Full-Set-Replacement-Syma-S107/dp/B004VGD0ZG/ref=pd_sim_t_5
But are they counter rotating. Its easy to find small props, but finding small counter rotating props is a nightmare
You can find X-Twin motor + prop set in http://www.x3d-shop.de
Ive been studying up on RC heli simulators it looks like they make a dongle for like 30 $ that might do what his dongle is doing. PS so far realflight is looking like the one to get.
Wow! That thing can take a beating and still fly!
Shut up and take my money!
Give it as large of props as possible for the frame size, optimized for Martian atmosphere.
Add a photovoltaic panel of the highest efficiency available to the top and a camera on the bottom. Make some with a sideways pointing camera and some with a downward pointing camera.
Send a swarm to Mars. Use a mesh network to send data to a bigger unit with the power to relay data to a satellite for transmission to Earth.
The lower gravity should allow for longer flight times between rests for solar charging, even with a higher mass from the PV cell, camera and larger props.
Write software to combine all the image data from the swarm into a color 3D rendering of everything the little copters take pictures of.
Whilst I like the idea, I’m not really sure about this:
* The Martian atmosphere is 1% the density of ours. I’m guessing this would make propellers ineffectual (though I’m not sure about this).
* Mars is *cold*. This is a problem for batteries.
* On Mars, the Sun delivers a lot less energy. This means much worse solar cell performance.
* Mars is *windy*. It has vast sand/dust storms. These would kinda spell bye-bye for a teensie drone swarm.
Just saying.
Jaye.
Great plan… except the atmosphere of mars is basically diddly-squat. Good luck balancing that with lower g.
Well when we get those giant Martian atmosphere genorators working left there for us by the three fingered aliens it should be a great idea!
but we need space flight come on nasa!
also Douglas Quaid!
More like “come on Washington, stop cutting NASA’s budget”!