Robot Platform‎ > ‎ Contents1 Hardware1.1 UGV models1.2 UGV accessories 2 Software3 DemosAdept MobileRobotsAdept MobileRobots.HardwareUGV modelsPioneer 3-DXPioneer 3-ATUGV accessories The Laser Mapping and Navigation accessory packageThe Laser Mapping and Navigation accessory package for MobileRobots research platforms provides a SICK laser rangefinder fully integrated with the robot platform and onboard computer (power and data), and includes a suite of development software for automatically creating maps, and for accurate, autonomous intelligent localization and navigation of the robot.  Laser navigation can be used in most indoor spaces, and also in outdoor spaces on level ground if enough buildings and stationary obstacles surround the operating environment.Pioneer gripperGamma 1500 7 DoF robotic armProPak-V3™ Triple-Frequency GNSS ReceiverNovAtel's ProPak-V3 is a durable, triple-frequency GNSS receiver that tracks GPS + GLONASS as well as L-Band and SBAS. When combined with one of NovAtel’s rugged GPS-700 series antennas, the ProPak-V3 provides superior tracking performance, positioning accuracy and reliability

. It also supports USB communications and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) technologySoftware Aria MobileEyesMobileSimMapper3ARNLDemosLeader-follower formation control - 3 circlesYouTube Video2. Dynamic Obstacle AvoidanceYouTube Video3. Complete demo of path plannin and dynamic obstacle avoidanceYouTube VideoYouTube Video5. Grab an object and return home with dynamic path planning and obstacle avoidanceYouTube Video6. YouTube VideoUGV: SafeGuardPF8. UGV: SafeGuardPF UGV: SafeGuardPFNow with a solid release date and price, Parrot’s AR.Drone is looking all the more exciting. A four-rotor indoor and outdoor flying machine, complete with dual-cameras and an iOS control app, the AR.Drone certainly ticks most of the geek checkboxes. We stopped by the London launch to try our hand at piloting the quadricopter, and to see whether – unlike some other recent R/C helicopters – it really is as idiot-proof as Parrot claim. Check out our video demos and more after the cut. Parrot tells us there have been plenty of changes since the AR.

Drone made its debut at CES back in January 2010. They include hardware tweaks to the quadricopter itself, adjusting the balance and weighting among other things, together with multiple updates to the control software. Currently that’s written for iPhone or iPod touch – and presumably in “doubled” mode on the iPad – but since Parrot have released the AR.Drone API publicly, they’re expecting developers to code up versions for Android and other platforms in short order. Control is straightforward, with the screen dominated by a view from the AR.Drone’s front-facing camera (updating at 10fps) while the down-facing camera is in a small window in the top left-hand corner; you can flip the two by tapping the PIP. At the top is an “emergency” button which kills the quadricopter, while at the bottom is a take off/landing button; when you hit it initially the AR.Drone takes off and hovers automatically at about chest height. The left thumb control, when tapped, allows you to move the drone via the accelerometer, tilting it to move left, right, forward and back.

The right thumb control spins the AR.Drone on its axis – the two red LEDs are always at the back, the green at the front, to help you orient yourself – as well as controlling altitude. ar drone 2 venditaCurrently there’s no way to record the video footage from either camera on the iPhone, though Parrot say there’s nothing stopping third-party developers from offering a suitable app for that.parrot ar drone horizon hobby In practice, any trouble you experience is generally pilot error rather than the AR.ar drone 2 fonctionnementThe autopilot mode, which hovers the quadricopter in mid-air when you let go of any of the controls (or if it flies out of WiFi range), is almost magical in its stability: you can push or even shove the ‘copter and it’ll stay composed. parrot ar drone españa

It’s once you start actually flying it yourself, of course, that the crashes begin; reaction times between moving the iPod touch and the AR.Drone responding are almost instantaneous over the ad-hoc WiFi network the quadricopter itself creates, but it’s easy to spin it around and then lose track of which orientation is which. mini parrot ar drone quadricopterA little practice improves matters, but thankfully the (removable) EPP hull is sturdy and impact resistant – we saw several crashes (of which we were only responsible for a few) and despite taking a battering none of the AR.x rebirth drones recallDrone demo units showed any sign of damage. Parrot supply two EPP hulls, one with enclosed blades for indoor use and a simpler, more streamlined “shaped” version for outdoor flight. They, together with spare rotors and other parts, will go on sale alongside the quadricopter, just in case you have a more serious accident.

Fingers pushed into the blades will kill the motors straight away (though considering the speed they’re rotating you may still end up a bit sore) but Parrot are still suggesting the AR.Drone be limited to pilots of 14 or up. We were having enough fun in single user mode, but of course Parrot are positioning the AR.Drone as a flying game system. Thanks to various apps which will be available through the Apple App Store, together with tag detection software running on the Drone itself, two people can dogfight with their AR.Drones, watching virtual explosions and tracer trails on the iPhone display. It takes some practice – and the 10fps update speed doesn’t help matters – but it does at least promise some longevity appeal. Parrot reckon over 450 developers have signed up for SDK access, so hopefully we’ll see some results from that hit the App Store shortly after the AR. As with any flying toy, battery life is the AR.A fully-charged power pack – one of which is included in the box – will last for roughly twelve to fourteen minutes of use.