Japanese engineers develop flying robotic orb

[n2doc]

The research department at Japan’s Ministry of Defense has developed what it calls "the world’s first spherical flying machine" that can hover like a helicopter and fly in all directions.

Take a look at the video below posted on YouTube by DigInfo TV, a Tokyo-based online video news website. Watch as the orb zooms around a room to the amazement of the crowd.

The operator, who remotely controls the aircraft, gives it a few smacks and it still stays afloat -- thanks to onboard gyroscopes.

According to the video report, the machine weighs less than a pound, or about 12 ounces, and is made completely of off-the-shelf parts.


video and more

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/10/japan-flying-sphere.html

But does it come with a big knife (or 3) sticking out of it?

[RandySF]

1. Took them long enough.

Weren't we supposed to have this cool stuff a long time.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Umm ... it's "spherical" because they wrapped a spherical cage around it ...

otherwise, it's a helicopter.

[mike_c]

3. yes and no....

It's a fixed blade propeller, or so it looks, and the control surfaces are mounted around the periphery, where they also provide lift like a fixed wing aircraft. It seems a pretty innovative design to me, but then I'm not an aero engineer!

[Speck Tater]

4. Cool. Now that we have a golden snitch we can play Quidditch! nt