The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0. According to the manufacture, it is a groundbreaking device that combines the best of many worlds, including modeling, video games and augmented reality. The AR.Drone can be controlled with both iOS and Android devices.

The French company Parrot is behind the brilliance of this augmented reality copter. Founded in 1994, they have been specializing in developing products that function on wireless networks (including the quadrotors which we know as the AR.Drone), Bluetooth hands free systems, speakers and other consumer friendly items that use easy-to-use functions such as voice recognition.

The AR.Drone itself is made of plastic and foam and is about a foot long

Using the iOS and Android devices, it can be used in video games such as AR.FreeFlight or AR.FlyingAce, two of Parrot’s own creations. Of course, since it is an open source platform, anyone who wishes to create a game or a program for it is welcome to, and in fact, over 800 developers have signed up to create their own algorithms.

The Drone is unique in that it comes with its own Wi-Fi network which the iPhone or Android can connect to. While connected to its controller via Wi-Fi, it is able to fly up to 160 feet. The device has a number of sensors, including a front and vertical camera, and an ultrasound altimeter, which ultimately tells itself when it is almost out of range of the Wi-Fi signal. The top speed is approximately 11 miles per hour, while it can fly for about 12 minutes (for now, at least. I’m sure as time passes, it will get better), with a recharging time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The AR Drone has started to gain a name for itself in the research and education circles, as it’s equipment and open API is gaining popularity to work on experiments with visual-based autonomous navigation and surveillance. Perhaps in the near future, we will see firefighters and police use them in emergency situations where it would be dangerous for humans to set foot before checking the surroundings first with an AR.Drone.

For more information, please go to the Parrot AR.Drone website.

Here’s a video that gives the basic overview of the Drone. You can also watch it here:

Related articles

• The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 In Action (singularityhub.com)
• Parrot AR.Drone controlled via wearable Android headset (slashgear.com)
• Parrot AR. Drone Controlled By Epson Moverio BT-100 (Video) (geeky-gadgets.com)
• Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Quadricopter Now Available For Pre-Order [Video] (inquisitr.com)
• Gadget Of The Week: The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 – TechCrunch (techcrunch.com)

This post by SierraCobb was first published at CTOvision.com.