We’ve covered the AR.Drone before ever since it visited CES and it’s been a popular “toy.” People have been coming up with code to make it do all sorts of cool things, such as tracking a red ball (interesting) and getting it running from regular computers, etc. People had worked on getting it working with Android devices and some may have succeeded to a point, unofficially. Now there is an official app in the Android Market from the makers of the copter.

This should open up the user base and hopefully get even more interest going around. The little green robot can now fly!

The Seiko Active Matrix EPD uses an E-Ink display that makes it look really impressive, and of course there are other features here to make it stand out even more. For instance, it’s set to offer a 180-degree viewing angle, radio-controlled movement that gets its marching orders from the nearest atomic clock, and solar cells in the frame that’ll let it get juice from the sun.

Never again will you not know what time it is.

There’s no word on pricing yet, but some hope has emerged that prices will be reasonable. As to when these come out, it looks like they’ll hit shelves by the end of the year, though any release will start in Japan and make its way out from there.

The Yale Aerial Manipulator, as it’s more correctly called, has a top speed of 130 kilometers (roughly sixty-odd miles) per hour, and can carry 2 kilograms (about a pound) of weight, making it a great choice for light bomb disposal or supply drops with the military, delivering small packages or the mail, or even, as you see in this picture, flying into the kitchen to fetch beer for people who think that the distance from the couch to the fridge is some kind of insurmountable gulf.

Alternately this would be great for people who need to fetch food but have found themselves permanently attached to their sofa, or have a pit to hell itself open in the hallway.

Seriously, this is actually quite a technological feat, especially if they can up the weight capacity and add on cameras and suchlike.

It’s gas-powered, first off–it’s got a 3CC gas engine, two speed transmission, independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. Basically, this little RC car has more options than some people’s actual cars.

And here’s the part that’ll really throw you–you don’t run down to the hobby shop and buy one, no sir. Or ma’am, as the case may be–you buy a series of 65 booklets for about $15 a pop that contain the parts to build the little Reventon, and then you can buy the remote for an additional $65. That brings the total price of this sucker up to around $737 dollars, and untold hours of searching and frustration.

So if you’re looking for the last word in project cars, try your hands with the littlest Lamborghini.

However, seeing how Google likes to come in and add their 2 cents to every market it’s no surprise that they would come in to the communications market and work their magic. Considering they already have the immensely popular GMail and Google Talk it would only make sense for them to combine the two into a completely new product, right?

Well, yes, and no. Just about a year ago Google opened their brand new Wave communications platform to the general public. At first, there was a lot of hype surrounding Wave as it was something we’ve never seen before essentially combining email with instant messaging, even combining elements of a Wiki, all into one.

Unfortunately, after the hype died down, consumers were clueless as to what Wave actually brought to the table and the service failed to ever catch on. Due to the poor reception, Google has announced today that they have no plans to continue developing the service as a standalone product and will instead incorporate its technologies into other services.

What this means exactly, we don’t know, but if we were to take a guess we’d say that Google would incorporate some Waveness into their GMail platform. Although, until we actually see something happen we’re just stuck guessing.

Anyone out there actually going to miss Google Wave?

In a departure from the brand’s bread and butter, Bluetooth device manufacturer Parrot has logically released a product that flies.  The Parrot AR.Drone is a WiFi-enabled quadricopter– a four-propeller, camera-equipped drone aircraft that can be controlled by an iPhone or iPod Touch.

The Parrot AR.Drone helicopter features WiFi remote control, two on-board video cameras and an array of stabilizing sensors and gyroscopes.  Add the ability to control the Parrot AR.Drone with your iPhone, and this becomes arguably the coolest app yet.  Shift and turn your iPhone, and the accelerometer translates these to steering controls on the AR.Drone.  The pilot can view the flight of the AR.Drone on the iPhone’s screen, either from the flight cam or the unit’s auto-pilot camera.

The Parrot AR.Drone is designed as an r/c toy, much in contrast to the CyberQuad UAV we covered back in December.  Yet this quadricopter does employ similar military-grade technology of helicopter UAVs, including wind compensation, gyroscopic balance technologies and more.  The AR.Drone is also designed to work in tandem with other AD.Drones, giving two users the ability to battle-it-out using games developed by Parrot and third party developers.

Pricing info is not yet available, nor is a concrete ship date.  Want to terrify your friends with the threat of an alien invasion?  Yeah, there’s now an app for that.

iPhone apps are getting more and more niche all the  time. Dynamic Controls, a company that specializes in wheelchair control units, unveiled an iPhone app that lets wheelchair users control their electronic wheelchairs via an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Dynamic Controls unveiled the new iPhone app at the RECHARGE conference in Germany, which is a trade show for the special needs community. As you can see by the pictures above, the app displays various information like speed and heading, and allows the wheelchair user to adjust various settings on the chair, like the seating angle.

The iPhone will connect to the wheelchair via Bluetooth, IR or WiFi, or through computer mouse control. A ‘chair doctor’ feature will diagnose any problems with the wheelchair and report it to the user, as well. The app also features web access to Dynamic Controls’ website, which will feature news that appeals to wheelchair users. Remember, with the full power of an iPhone, a wheelchair user would also be free to surf other websites if they didn’t want to read about advancements in pro-grip wheelchair wheels.

Dynamic is selling an optional attachment that will secure the iPhone to the wheelchair. Dynamic’s control units will also allow for iPhones to charge off of the wheelchair’s battery. The application can be used with any existing Dynamic Controls wheelchair unit and any 3G iPhone. The iPhone app is set to be released in April of 2010.

Having chatted at some length to my writers here on TFTS about what is and what isn’t prime material for content here on the site – netbooks, phones, you get the picture – I’m now going to set an especially poor example by posting about this Takara Tommy Hover Q Mini RC Hovercraft which, for some reason, particularly appeals to me and the posting of which has allowed for one of the most curious post titles on the site for, well, at least a few minutes (I’m up against a couple of pros here, so I don’t fancy my chances long term).

Following up from such RC gems as the RC Housefly, the iFly Vamp RC Vampire Bat, the QFO (also from Takara Tommy and the utterly bizarre (but oh so cool) Slamjam Sparkler (alas only a concept) the Takara Tommy Hover Q Mini RC Hovercraft, which measures in at just 80 x 100 x 60mm, apart from being a great office gadget, works exactly like a real hovercraft in floating on an air cushion (no hidden wheels here) which means that not only is it ultra manoeuvrable but it should, in theory, work on water – though we are unable to actually establish whether this would be a particularly good idea.

Available in four color schemes the Takara Tommy Hover Q Mini RC Hovercraft, which offers a purported endurance of up to 3 minutes based on a 40 minute charge (4 x AA batteries) is retailing in Japan for the equivalent of $32 and I want one so much I would say it hurts – except it doesn’t, not really.

I’ve no idea if these are available outside of Japan but I’m keeping my eyes peeled.

Way back when we were barely established (and we are now, right?) we not only featured the Picco Z but we actually gave them away, but what if you’re looking for a micro remote controlled ariel vehicle that has a somewhat out of this world flavour? This QFO micro remote controlled UFO from Takara Tomy may just be the answer.

Conclusive proof, were it needed, that ‘they’ are not only especially small but that they have a particular penchant for polystyrene (it takes all sorts) this QFO also serves to indicate that quite apart from wanting to phone home they actually only have getting back home on their minds as this QFO appears to be limited to vertical transition alone. That said, thanks to the especially lightweight nature of this Takara Tomy QFO UFO – it weighs in at a mere 9g – they really haven’t a hope as even the slightest breeze will undoubtedly send them on a voyage of enforced discovery of your back yard only to become lodged in a bush, eaten by the dog, etc. (In mind of this quite why the critters in this UFO are merely intent on vertical transition may, perhaps, be perfectly understandable).

The QFO, which measures in at a mere 65x65x43mm, can fly up to 8 of your Earth meters (which means the little chaps within are screwed), is available for around $55 and, as you’d probably gathered, indoor use only is recommended.

Japan Trends Shop / FunShop [Korean]

If you’re looking for a remote controlled car that’s sure to light the way in any darkened room, this curious and highly whimsical concept remote controlled car designed by Slamjam, and known as the Sparkler, will undoubtedly excel with its multitude of mounted LED torches that are certain to bath anything in the cars path in a halo of blinding illumination.

Very little by way of information is provided as to the concept in terms of its capabilities but, in fairness, who really cares when it comes to something so obviously tongue-in-cheek as this gloriously overdone as this device. It certainly put a smile on our faces, hence its appearance here on TFTS (we just couldn’t pass on posting about it, now could we).

Slamjam

We’ve all heard the saying, “Driving me up the wall!” which is something your sibling or boss can do to you … but now you can literally drive up the wall by yourself! That’s right … The Air Hog Zero Gravity R/C defies all that we know from our good friend, Newton!

This Air Hog Zero Gravity R/C is unlike other radio controlled cars (in fact this one is infrared controlled) as it seems to defy the law of gravity by driving up walls and giving spiderman a run for his money by zipping effortlessly towards ceilings. The amazing thing about this “Zero Gravity” contraption is that it is able to perform this unbelievable feat by simply using a fan in the roof to create a suction vacuum against surfaces.

Pretty darn impressive if you ask me.

You’re probably wondering how one would power such an gadget? Well, this baby is powered by charging it and will last a good (but sadly little) 10 minutes on a half an hour charge. I reckon little Timmy might get bored waiting so long for a 10 minute romp (kids are not renowned for their patience I’m afraid so I reckon this is more for adult entertainment.

Either way this 5 inch vehicle will give you hours of entertainment (inbetween 3 x hours charging time of course) and if you’re willing to fit the $50 price tag, you’re in for a treat impressing all your friends!

[source]

Following on from the previously featured Picoo Z Micro RC Helicopter and the recently featured Top Gun F-22 Raptor MicroFighter, both of which, in our own little way, we got fairly excited about we now have a micro RC aircraft that undoubtedly wins outright in terms of sheer controllability and that all important fun factor in the form of this Snelflight VTOL Jump Jet RC Aircraft.

Functioning as a true VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) fixed wing aircraft, Snelflight’s Jump Jet can not only hover, but can fly forwards, backwards and even sideways thanks to being powered by four pivoting propellers which not only offer supreme stability across the flight envelope but also offers vectored trust allowing for full, unrestrained and amazingly precise, fully three dimensional movement.

With the Jump Jet’s stability being further enhanced by a triple axis gyroscope, Snelflight’s VTOL Jump Jet RC has been designed to appeal to beginners and experienced RC jocks alike allowing them to hone their flying skills indoors and, should the aircraft crash its robust, lightweight construction and guarded rotors should ensure that any impact apart should leave it unscathed to fly another day.

Snelflight VTOL Jump Jet RC Aircraft Specifications:

• Weight: 65g
• Wingspan: 34cm
• Motors: 4
• Battery: 3S 140mAh Li Po
• Flight Time: Around 6 minutes
• Control: Full 3-axis 4-channel Infra-red
• IR Control Range: Approx 30ft
• Stabilisation: 3-axis auto-zeroing computer gyro
• Included: Aircraft, controller, charger

Admittedly, at a purported $160 each Snelflight’s VTOL Jump Jet RC is somewhat more expensive than the aforementioned Picoo Z Micro RC Helicopter and Top Gun F-22 Raptor MicroFighter but then, in fairness, its in an altogether different league in terms of technology, performance and (in truth) desirability.

Snelflight’s VTOL Jump Jet RC is due for release in the UK any day now whilst a US release is pencilled in for sometime around Spring. Needless to say, everything on our items to purchase list has just dropped a place on account of this entering straight in the hallowed top slot.

(Apologies for the quality and limited nature of the imagery – we didn’t have a great deal to work with).

Snelflight [via Gizmodo]

Whilst we are great fans of the Picco Z micro RC helicopter we cannot help but think that this Top Gun RC MicroFighter, which is also constructed from PSP foam ensuring that, just like the Picco Z, it can take more than its fair share of unintentional impacts, looks like it could raise the bar considerably in terms of sheer unadulterated fun.

Though the product page refers to the 80’s classic film Top Gun, this Top Gun MicroFighter is not based on the film’s F-14 Tomcats (alas retired) but, rather, the F-22 Raptor, though, quite unlike the F-22, this particular model sports two rear facing propellers serving to provide the necessary means of propulsion.

Measuring in at 260(L) x 200(W) x 85(H) mm the Top Gun RC MicroFighter comes complete with full throttle and directional control allowing it to perform ‘extreme loops and real-fighter style aerobatics’ (and even, in the right hands, tail slides ought to be feasible) and, thanks to the considerable power to weigh ratio on offer, STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) capabilities.

The Top Gun RC MicroFighter is powered by a Lithium-Polymer battery offering around ten minutes of powered flight on a single 30 minutes charge which, just like in the case of the Picco Z is provided directly from the remote control (which requires 6 x AAA batteries).

Pack Contains:

• 1 x Top Gun MicroFighter
• 1 x Remote Control
• Extra props
• Instruction manual

Features:

• Ground takeoffs
• Optional landing gear
• Outdoor flights
• For advanced users only
• Durable PSP foam construction
• Damage resistant nose construction
• Dual prop drive
• Quick charge
• 27MHz transmitter
• Weight: 18.5 grams

The Top Gun MicroFighter retails for around £30 (which equates to approximately $60 / €39 at the time of writing).

Whilst we have never personally ever seen a Goth in charge of any remote controlled vehicle (certainly not before the witching hour at any rate) there’s no reason not to suppose that there are Goths out there to whom this remote controlled alien bat with glowing eyes, known as the Vamp, might appeal – if only to serve as another worldly procession not to get in any way excited about.

Touted as being at ‘bleeding edge of toy design’, though it reminds us of the Cybird featured way back on TFTS, the Vamp, which has a wingspan of 12” and is manufactured by i-Fly, offers ten minutes of flight on a single 20-30 minute charge and at only 10” in length is cited as being the world’s smallest ornithopter (meaning that it flaps its wings in order to fly).

Apart from boasting extreme manoeuvrability (thus allowing you to target the necks of unsuspecting passers by with ease) the Vamp also comes with glowing eyes (scary stuff), which results in a ‘truly terrifying sight’. That said, whether it’ll prove quite as terrifying as the sight of the Goth flying it is wholly open to question.

You can see the ‘truly terrifying’ i-Fly Vamp in action in the rather tongue-in-cheek (at least we hope that’s what it’s supposed to be) video featured below.

The Vamp RC Bat comes with the Vamp itself, the controller unit and instructions and retails for £34.99 (approximately $72 at the time of writing).

[Source | TechDigest]

You may recall that several months ago we posted about Roboboa, the AI robotic snake from WowWeee – makers of Robosapien – which, apart from offering everything you would expect from a robotic snake, also offers a few intriguing secondary functions such as a motion detecting angle poise desk lamp and even a child safety light – well now it’s available in the US.

Priced at $99.99, Roboboa is sure to prove to be a great hit this coming Christmas and you can read our original post here: WowWee Roboboa – The Dancing AI Robot Python.

However, just to wet your appetite, here’s a brief run down of Roboboa’s capabilities as detailed on the official product website:

• Thinks for himself but follows your every command
• 3-eyed “alien” vision really sees, tracks and follows
• Dazzling LED lights and sounds reveal his many moods
• Rotates, swivels, spins, lifts and roves around
• Multiple play modes
• Three “shooting” guard modes
• 16 hours “time-shift” alarm function
• Interacts with other Wowwee robots
• Program sequences up to 40 steps long
• Over 40 functions from easy-to-use flashlight remote controller

We’re a little late in posting about this particular gadget but, whereas ordinarily we’d simply not post about something already so widely covered, the MicroDrone remote surveillance drone from German company MicroDrones GmbH genuinely gets our pulses racing – besides that, it’s guaranteed to feature in TFTS on the premise that ‘if it flies it’s in’.

The MicroDrone is by no means alone when it comes to remotely piloted surveillance craft – after all, UAVs have seen action the world over for many years – but what serves to distinguish this particular drone from the others is its ease of use and its relatively diminutive cost (though, at $60,000 a shot its certainly out of the reach of your average RC jock).

Measuring in at a mere 2ft in diameter, the MicroDrone can fly for up to 20 minutes on a single charge of its on-board battery pack and its already been trailed by Staffordshire Police in the UK during the V Festival. It’s also rumoured that none other than MI5 are showing an interest in the device.

Operated by a Wii style remote GSM modem based controller, the MicroDrone is has the ability to fly unnoticed above ‘hot-spots’ whilst offering a birds eye view of events thanks to its on-board high-resolution, infrared zoom camera that beams its imagery back down to earth in real-time. Alternatively, the drone can work in semi-autonomous mode using GPS navigation.

You can view the MicroDrone in action in the video below which, apart from including the obligatory shot of an unsuspecting woman sunbathing in a bikini, was assembled from numerous videos made available via the official MicroDrones GmbH website by BotJunkie (who we will subsequently duly credit).

Very Cool – though, admittedly, it’s not quite as cool as the previously featured RoboSwift Morphing Surveillance Bird concept (but at least it’s made it off the drawing board).

[Source | BotJunkie]

If you work in a busy office sometimes you just need to kick back and take five to bring your stress levels down and, to that end, we don’t doubt that this tiny Mini Cooper USB remote controlled car could prove to be a great stress buster as you send it around a race track marked out on your desk with paper clips before attempting a jump hastily improvised from a ruler shored up by your stapler.

The Mini Cooper desktop RC car comes complete with its own charging garage that connects to your PC via USB, and is controlled, not by a hand-held controller, but by an interface on your VDU.

Headed towards the infamous ‘Eraser Hairpin’

(not to scale)

The car itself, steered via an on screen steering wheel, comes with six degrees of directional control (enabling you to practice parallel parking between your in trays as you deal with another customer complaint) as well as a one meter range of operation – which is more than enough for your average desk – and, if you really want to bypass promotion again, you can turn up your speakers to hear the accompanying engine sounds.

Admittedly, as far as gadgets go it’s hardly rocket science but, as an office gadget it certainly looks like enormous fun.

The USB Mini Cooper Desktop Remote Controlled Car retails for ¥3480, which is approximately $30 / £14 / €21 excluding shipping.

Alternatively, if driving a tiny Mini Cooper around your desk doesn’t quite do it for you and you happen to be a footie fan then you may be interested in these Mr Soccer Desktop Football Bots.

We can say, with some confidence, that this is one of the most bizarre remote controlled gadgets we are ever likely to come across as quite why anyone in their right mind would want to own an RC housefly is quite beyond us. That said, we don’t doubt that the scope for comedy moments (landing it on Aunt Agnus’s slice of fruit cake just as she’s about to tuck in, for example) will appeal to many.

Bearing a startling resemblance to the previously featured Picoo Z mini remote controlled helicopter – on which we strongly suspect this critter is based and for which there is a shameless advertisement at the bottom of this post– the RC Housefly uses the same co-axle rotor system to ensure that the craft is not only relatively stable in flight but that, thanks to the lack of torque, its also far easier to control than single rotor helicopters. However it is interesting to note that, whilst the Picoo Z utilises the same system this RC Housefly, unlike the Picoo Z this device comes without a tail rotor (I mean, when was the last time you saw a housefly with a rotor blades and a tail rotor?).

The Remote Controlled Housefly has been designed primarily for indoor use and will, if it’s anything like the Picoo Z, take more than its fair share of knocks as it bounces off walls and Aunt Agnus’s fruit cake (which is no small feat as her fruit is known to be second only to titanium in terms of its density).

Available in two equally unconvincing colour schemes, this RC bug will fly for up to six minutes on a single full, thirty minute charge courtesy of it’s remote handset which also serves as a recharging station and is sure to be a hit with children should you ever allow them a look in.

If your life feels incomplete without you having tried at least once to land a housefly on your partner’s head then you’ll be glad to know that the Remote Controlled Housefly retails for a mere ¥3312 – which is approximately $28 / £14 / €21 at the time of writing.

Whilst few would agree that RoboBoa is the most attractive of AI pets currently available, few of RoboBoa’s peers can boast quite the level of functionality offered by this robotic Python.Naturally, as seems to be an obligatory requirement of all robots these days, RoboBoa will dance to your favourite tunes whilst flashing its eyes and he will even dance to your MP3 play lists thanks to a built in audio jack (cable not supplied). RoboBoa also offers an ‘Explore Mode’ whereby it will scan the room and move around interacting with everything in its path (i.e., head-butting the wife’s foot repeatedly).

Further modes include ‘Aware Mode’, which is basically a movement tracking function, ‘Track Mode’ – basically the same, but RoboBoa will shine a light (sorry, shine its penetrating laser been eyes) at anything that moves – as well as ‘Super Shooter’ where RoboBoa will shoot its machine gun, cannon and laser at anything that moves (can you see a theme developing?) whilst also shooting out codes that other WowWee robots will react to.

So far so…reasonably uninspiring until you factor in that RoboBoa will also serve as a smart desk light (thanks to motion tracking) a safety light and a wake up alarm (probably in the form of a cannon/laser beam/machine gun rampage combo).

The WowWee RoboBoa consists of four motorised sections, a 20 watt while LED for spot illumination, six ‘personality’ LEDs (RoboBoa is obviously suffering from some kind of bi-polar disorder), an IR sensor and tri-colour LED eyes and comes with a 41 function remote control that doubles up as a flashlight. retails for approximately $220 / £108 / €159.

[Source | ShinyShiny]

The moment we came across these mini football robots we couldn’t help but draw comparisons with the previously featured Hex Bugs though, unlike the Hex Bugs, these are not autonomous but instead rely on remote control units in order to strut their stuff on their mini football pitch.

These curiously titled Mr Soccer Football Robots, apart from looking quite cool – we especially like their 2xAAA battery pack backpacks – basically consist of an RC unit on wheels with two mini arms that have been designed to enable you to dribble and ‘kick’ the small ball supplied with the kit across the plastic football pitch.

The kit comes with two individual bots (red and blue), each with their own remote controller though additional Football Bots can be added up to a maximum of 14 units.

Admittedly the technology is hardly ground breaking – they are just RC units after all – but they look like great fun and these would be great for lunchtime inter office tournaments at work.

The Mr Soccer Football Bots 2-bot set, complete with soccer pitch and controllers, retails for around $83 / £41 / €61.

Drinking and driving, as in whilst under the influence, is not something we condone here at TFTS but in the case of this Remote Controlled Beverage Buggy we cannot help but make an exception.

Great for those days whilst lazing around outside or when watching a game on television to find – to your horror – that you’re fresh out of beer, the Remote Controlled Beverage Buggy could prove to be a lifesaver (well, not quite a lifesaver but handy nonetheless).

Capable of carrying two tins by way of passengers, the Beverage Buggy retails for $37. The only problem is that you’ll need someone by the cooler to load her up which is why we cannot help but wonder if there is any way that this can be paired up with the previously featured Beer Serving Robot for the ultimate in remote beer delivery systems.

[Source | RedFerret via Zedomax]

Weighing in at a mere 1.34 grams, which is considerably lighter than the Carbon Butterfly (which is already lighter than its equivalent size in paper), this indoor remote control aircraft, which comes complete with its own means of propulsion in the form of a propeller, is crafted from painstakingly shaved balsa wood and extremely thin aluminium foil.

Only one slight drawback as, from what we can gather, the plane has no rudder, elevator or aileron control so is only able to circle the room – albeit rather gracefully. Additionally, with its diminutive weight in mind, it’s reserved for indoor use only as even the slightest of breezes could reap devastating results.

You can view the 1.34 gram remote control aircraft in action in the video featured below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHRzFHo06NY]

[Source | Gizmodo Japan]

Is this the ultimate fishing gadget?

As any fisherman will know, one of the primary keys to landing a successful catch is knowing where the fish actually are and now, thanks to this extremely cool radio controlled radar enabled fishing gadget, you can call on technology to lend a helping hand.

Coming complete with a handheld controller featuring a 5.7 inch LCD radar display, and an endurance of 1.5 hours (on continuous power), this radio controlled fishing boat will help you locate the fish using its onboard radar unit (as well as reporting a host of supplementary information such as exact its co-ordinates, the water temperature and present water depth) and, once the fish are found, the one meter long vessel (yes you read that right) can release its fishing line via a rod attached to the back thus ensuring that the bait is delivered with complete precision into the target area.

As one would expect, this is a Japanese product and, whilst I don’t doubt that it would prove to be an extremely formidable tool it’s not cheap at Yen 787,500 – which roughly equates to $6,600 / £3,300 / €4,900.

Further information can be gained via this site (link provided is to the English translation).

As a side note, if having paid out the vast sum of money required in order to purchase this seriously cool gadget you find yourself coming home without a catch, then you could always consider using this inedible, but extremely comfortable fish as a reserve.

Sometimes our inherently inquisitive natures can take over and we end up spying on people just in order to know what they’re up to – but this isn’t necessarily malicious (though of course it can be).

For instance, when my wife and myself are food shopping I have been known to spy on her just to see what she is putting into the trolley on the basis that if I am to be poisoned by her culinary exploits during the rest of the week it is often nice to be able to know the actual ingredients in advance so that I can work on developing an aversion to them prior to them being presented to me in a form that can loosely be described as a meal. )It really comes down to a matter of survival).

And whilst I am sure it would look rather odd if I were to go shopping with her with this video enabled spy car this clever device surely has its uses – if only to chase after the cat.

Capable of transmitting images remotely from a distance of 75 feet the Wild Planet Spy Video Car also offers night vision capabilities so that you can drive into all manner of otherwise compromising situations whilst starting agog at the headset screen supplied.

You can gain further details concerning this product by clicking here, however, as most of us know, some things are better left unseen.

But I digress, so let’s get back to this 6.6 inch RC Mexican Redknee Tarantula which not only scuttles convincingly enough across the floor to have your granny shivering behind the sofa but it also has eyes that light up (eek!).

If you’re a practical joker then this is bound to appeal and it can be yours for a mere $24.95 from the TFTS Online shop – which can be accessed via the main menu bar above or directly via this link. Just don’t bring it anywhere near me.

The video is not in English but the instructions are abundantly clear and serve to show how, with a little tinkering, your dearly departed Guinea Pig can once again roam the land (albeit on all wheels) using nothing more that a disposable teddy bear, an RC vehicle and a bizarre desire to turn a dead animal into a RC vehicle.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aybjk64SYH8]

Please note that had I have thought that the Guinea Pig was not already dead then I would not have posted this, however, as I am reasonably confident that the animal in question had already departed I see no obvious reason why this should cause offense.

[Source | Fresh Creation]

The Picoo Z remote controlled helicopter is not only the lightest commercially available RC helicopter in the world, but it is also the smallest – being no bigger than the palm of your hand – which means that you can fly it around your front room, or even upstairs (no doubt on a secret CIA mission extract the wife from the laundry basket).

What seals this for me, however, is the price – which came as quite a surprise.

You can read more about this rather wonderful device, as well as view a video of it in action, after the jump.

The Picoo z Micro Helicopter, which is constructed from expanded Polypropylene, weighs in at a mere 10 grams and measures only six inches in length and not only does it fly exactly like its far more expensive counterparts but it also has a working blue LED strobe light (and as regular readers of TFTS will know, anything with a blue LED is a must have as far as this site is concerned).

Unlike its larger counterparts, however, the Picoo Z also incorporates an auto-stability system that should, in theory, allow even the most novice of users to at least take off before smashing into a wall.

The Pizoo Z’s features and specifications, as given on the official product page, are as follows:

Features:

• Auto Stable & Precision Speed
• Miniature Size & Light Weight
• Small Size Provides Agility and Speed
• 3 Selectable Frequencies Let’s You Fly Up To 3 Helicopters At Once
• 2-channel, Infrared Control (Allows for left, right, up, and down movements)
• Made of a Unique Material to Withstand Crashes
• Super Wide Infrared Control
• Easy to fly

Specifications:

• Main Rotor Diameter: 5.25inches (130mm) Length 6.5inches (170mm) excluding rotors. Rear Rotor diameter 1.25inches (30mm)
• Helicopter weight: Only 10g, including Li-Poly battery
• Rechargeable Flight Battery: High capacity integral Lithium Polymer battery
• Charger: Integral Transmitter/Charger supplied with LED indicator/Auto shut off. Simply plug in and charge, with easy to use connections
• Flight duration: 12 to 15 minutes
• Charge time: 20-30 minutes for full charge
• Ready To Run: Supplied completely assembled and ready-to-fly, with pre-installed 2 Channel Proportional
• Infra Red Control System
• Range: Up to 100 feet (30 meters). Frequency: Infra Red Control System – Bands A, B & C allow up to three models to be flown at the same time
• Box Dimensions: 360 x 160 x 100mm
• Box Weight: 400g

You can see a small clip of the amazing Picoo Z in action below (click on the picture to play via a new window).

[etv]

And the shock is that you get all this for a mere $39 from this site – which, I have to say, is a remarkable price (and I should stress that I’m not affiliated with the company in any shape or form).

This has just gone straight to the top of my “must haves” purchase list.

Incidentally, if you would like to see what the pros can do with RC helicopters, you may find this video post of interest.

No, the Cybird is exactly what you would expect it to be in that it is a remotely piloted bird, complete with flapping wings, which is real enough in nature to be all too readily identified as being one of their own by its real, feathered counterparts – though the welcome extended to this curious beast is not always especially hospitable, as can be seen in the video featured below.

Powered by two small servo motors, the 15 inch Cybird can fly for between eight and ten minutes on a single charge of its on-board battery (this time can be extended by gliding) and, due to its inherent stability, it is claimed to be far easier to fly than conventional model aircraft.

Why not get a few of these and give some unsuspecting person an
unforgettable Alfred Hitchcock moment?

Cleverly, as the Cybird uses its wings for propulsion as well as lift, just like a real bird, it is versatile enough to be hand launched and, with a little practice, can even be caught at the end of its flying time which, on account of the fact that it can glide equally well, is not wholly reliant on a continuous stream of power from its motors. And, interestingly, unlike any real birds I have ever seen, the Cybird is also capable of aerobatic manoeuvres.

You can see a brief video of the Cybird in action in the clip provided below (click on the image to stream, or the link to download). You’ll note that it seems to be attracting some attention from its warm blooded counterparts, who appear to see it as being somewhat of a threat.

[etv]

Technical Specifications of the Cybird (Robot Bird):

• Wingspan: 29” (725mm) Body Length: 15” (375mm).
• Weight: 225g, inc. on-board battery.
• Rechargeable Flight Battery: High capacity 700 mAh Lithium Polymer battery.
• Charging Time approximately 60-90 minutes for a full charge.
• Flight Duration: Standard 700 mAh flight battery 8-10 minutes between charges. 12-15 minutes for 910 mAh replacement flight battery (under constant power).
• Batteries Required: 6 x 1.5v AA Alkaline Batteries for Transmitter.
• R/C Specification: Supplied almost ready-to-fly with pre-installed 2 Channel FM Radio, providing motor speed control and steering by tail surface movement.
• Range: Up to 100m (300ft). Frequency: 35MHz Two frequencies available.
• Instruction Manual included: Providing helpful tips for both the new Ornithopter Pilot or experienced R/C enthusiast, and informative CD Rom.
• Age: 13+ Adult supervision recommended.
• Gift Box Dimensions: 385 x 195 x 170mm Gift Box Weight: 1.2kgs.

If you are interested in learning more about the Cybird, or if you would like to see more videos of the Cybird in action (and getting yet more attention from real birds), you can link the the official site here.

The recommended retail price of the Cybird is £130, however it is worth shopping about as I have seen it available for as low as £89.

If you found this post interesting, you may also like these posts:

Indoor RC Aircraft Aerial Ballet Video
(astounding – some of these moves shouldn’t be possible)

Amazing RC Helicopter Video vs Real Helicopter Display
(including bonus footage of a real heli completing
a serious of truly gut-wrenching moves)

Or, perhaps, you may find these real aviation related posts of interest.

Video of Severe Crosswind Landings
(I pity the passengers on these flights)

Video of G-Forces in Action
(See what fighter pilots have to contend with)

]]> http://nexus404.com/Blog/2006/10/25/the-cybird/feed/ 2