Drones On A Leash Ready to Go Walkies Drones on a leash may sound like some novelty gimmick — like soap on a rope — but the concept behind Fotokites is actually quite grounded.PHOTOS: 8 Totally Cool Uses For DronesCreated by Zurich-based roboticist Sergei Lupshin, the tethered quadcopters aim to capture the same stunning photos and videos we now associate with drone footage. However, adding a leash modifies the very nature of the drone by eliminating two things: the need for experienced pilots and the creepy surveillance factor that people feel when they see an untethered drone. The leash acts as a reassuring anchor, directly connected to the operator for increased accountability.Fotokites use standard, retractable dog leashes, while onboard software and sensors allow the drones to fly at the same angle in reference to their pilot. Wherever pilots move, they have reliable control over their photos and video.Lupshin believes drones can be useful tools for journalists. During a recent TED talk, he validated his point with aerial footage of large street demonstrations in Russia where crowds were protesting the 2011 election process.

However, the footage was shot by highly skilled untethered-drone photographers, one of whom wore an orange vest inscribed with a request that curious onlookers not interrupt the flight and wait until the drones had landed to ask questions. ar drone parrot preisA tethered drone could eliminate this situation and free up the pilot to engage with his or her surroundings.parrot ar drone vpnBLOG: In-Car Facial Recognition Could Deter Road RageAdditionally, Lupshin thinks Fotokites could be useful for firefighters and archeologists. parrot ar drone manchesterThe drones are light — weighing just one pound — making them ideal for any other entity that could benefit from streamlined aerial photography or video. google buys solar powered drone maker titan aerospace

A consumer version of Fotokites is slated for later this year. In the meantime, check out some of Fotokite’s sweet footage of Burning Man with the following video.via WiredCredit: Robert Ladig, FotokiteAboutAbout the FestivalCommon QuestionsIn the NewsOrganizersAbout RITInnovation at RITar drone central cross reinforcement Get InvolvedSubmit a ProposalExhibitorsEducators & MentorsVolunteerSponsorsMedia KitContestsparrot ar drone hull RIT Meets The Jetsons: Flying Cars Prior to the start of RIT’s annual Imagine RIT festival on Saturday, May 2, 2015, there will be a special competition held in the new ice rink on campus, The Gene Polisseni Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The opening ceremony for the festival will immediately follow the Dr. Destler’s challenge is two-fold: First, teams will remotely

pilot their “flying cars” (UAS’s) along a pre-defined course with the purpose of capturing images of static objects. Second, teams will program their flying cars to perform an autonomous The winning team will choose between $1,000 and one of Dr. Destler’s antique banjos. faculty and staff are welcome to enter the contest. In the case of an all-student team, please be prepared to list a faculty or staff mentor on your registration form. the competition for free. Email hadpro@rit.edu to receive a registration form. We will accept a maximum of ten (10) teams on a first come, first served basis. The final deadline to participate is team will be given one (1) Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition Quadricopter. The Parrot Kit shown above is the only UAS kit that may be used for the challenge. Teams may decide to use a battery other than what is provided with the kit, however. must use the indoor hull included with the Parrot Kit.

are responsible for purchasing any other equipment or spare parts they may need must have a redundant system of kill switches/attitude fail safe systems laser emitting devices must be eye safe for spectators without the need for eye dimensions cannot exceed 2.5’ x 2.5’ x 2.5’. In the spirit of the competition’s theme, we will assign each team a character from “The Jetsons.” Your team should create and affix a small likeness of their character somewhere on their “flying car.” every attempt to provide practice time in the Gene Polisseni Center at least two days before the event. This information will become available as we get closer to May 2, 2015. member of each team is required to be present at a pre-competition meeting (date and time TBA) to review the vehicle criteria, competition rules and course of the event, teams should arrive to check-in no later than 8:00 a.m. with the competition starting promptly at 8:30 a.m.

the total number of teams, we may decide on a cascading start so that multiple teams will be operating their vehicles at the same time – although we will allow no more than three vehicles to be in flight at the same time.. remotely piloted portion of the challenge, there can only be one operator at aIt is up to the team to decide which app and device they want to use. The operator must stand within the designated area (TBA) on/near the course. must complete the remotely piloted challenge, and one autonomous task in under 10 minutes. must not fly above the Plexiglas boards surrounding the hockey rink must not fly outside of the designated area. Vehicles must start in the designated area (TBA); vehicles may land wherever it is appropriate within the confines of the course once the challenge has been completed. Four (4) life-sized, stand up “pedestrians” (RIT administrators/faculty) will be placed in a semi-circle around the course,

which will appear as a futuristic street scene/cityscape. Each stand up will be labeled with the person’s name in Times New Roman font, 72 pt. must photograph each “pedestrian”. In order to achieve points for each photograph, the nametag must be visible and in focus. After the registration deadline (March 2nd) participants will be informed about, in terms of x-y distances, the locations of stand ups. Any other static obstacles (city buildings, for example), if present, will be Once the remotely piloted part of the challenge is completed, each team is asked to perform an autonomous maneuver somewhere within the confines of the course. This could involve flying through hoops or a tunnel, as an example. autonomous task will be judged subjectively on both technical difficulty and Please note: No navigation information or GPS will be available for the autonomous task. with the most points will be deemed the winner of the competition.