Photos: Parrot AR.Drone Wi-Fi quadricopter
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Pretty cool
Pretty cool
The Parrot AR.Drone Wi-Fi quadricopter is the epitome of a cool flying model vehicle and could be the ultimate geek gift this holiday season. Read my complete Geek Gifts review of the AR.Drone.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Helipad
Helipad
The box for the AR.Drone has several functions – including a makeshift helipad.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Packed tight
Packed tight
The packaging keeps the drone stable and the box makes a very good carrying case.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Indoor protection
Indoor protection
The indoor hull offers some protection, especially for the propellers and gear assemblies.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Construction
Construction
The AR.Drone is very light, but not overly fragile. However, it does have several parts that will break if you crash hard and often.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Two cameras
Two cameras
There is a forward facing camera and a downward facing camera. Parrot would like to see you dog-fighting with your friends.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Propellers
Propellers
The propeller mechanical systems are straightforward and exposed – another reason to fly carefully.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Test flight
Test flight
The is are initial flight inside the TechRepublic breakroom. We asked it to hover and it did.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Hover
Hover
The software, onboard computer, and sensors keep the AR.Drone hovering in our cluttered breakroom.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
No wind
No wind
When it was calm, hovering was just as stable as inside.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Compensating for wind
Compensating for wind
The next several images are of the AR.Drone attempting to compensate for a breezy afternoon. So far all we have directed it to do is hover.
Windy 1
Windy 1
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Windy 2
Windy 2
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Windy 3
Windy 3
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Windy 4
Windy 4
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Windy 5
Windy 5
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Windy 6
Windy 6
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Windy 7
Windy 7
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Windy 8
Windy 8
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Windy 9
Windy 9
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Windy 10
Windy 10
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Safe landing
Safe landing
Landing was smooth when you let the software and sensors take care of it.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Clearance
Clearance
As you can see there is not much clearance provided by the landing gear.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flat surface
Flat surface
You want to start your drone on a flat surface so the sensors can measure what flat flight means.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Ready for takeoff
Ready for takeoff
Starting from the parking lot, we prepare for our next flight.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Back to hovering position
Back to hovering position
We takeoff and I begin flying the AR.Drone around. While I am concentrating on flying, Bill Detwiler is snapping photos for this gallery.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 1
Flying 1
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Flying 2
Flying 2
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 3
Flying 3
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 4
Flying 4
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 5
Flying 5
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 6
Flying 6
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Flying 7
Flying 7
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 8
Flying 8
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 9
Flying 9
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 10
Flying 10
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying 11
Flying 11
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
We are flying
We are flying
After a few slow moves to get acquainted with the controls, I start to fly around.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flyby 1
Flyby 1
I start with a flyby of Bill and his camera.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flyby 2
Flyby 2
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flyby 3
Flyby 3
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flyby 4
Flyby 4
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
And back again
And back again
Flying back toward Bill.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying back 1
Flying back 1
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying back 2
Flying back 2
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying back 3
Flying back 3
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Flying back 4
Flying back 4
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
CBS Interactive
CBS Interactive
An building flyby – notice the logo of our secret headquarters building.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
Oops - wind gust
Oops - wind gust
A gust of wind moves the AR.Drone in a direction I did not intend.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Trees
Trees
The wind forces the drone into the trees, but I negotiate a safe landing.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Emergency landing
Emergency landing
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
Geeky gift
Geeky gift
The Parrot AR.Drone Quadricopter is one of the coolest Geek Gift Guide devices we have ever reviewed. I am pleasantly surprised by how well it works and I can see it gaining in popularity very quickly. Read my complete Geek Gifts review of the AR.Drone.
Photo by Mark Kaelin and Bill Detwiler for TechRepublic.
For an example of the AR.Drone in action take a look at the Test Flight Video.
