Hasta La Gadget!

A global leader in security monitoring solutions, Swann Security, has just announced something that will border on the fun side of things. After all, isn’t there a saying that goes something like this, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”? To make sure that the security line might be fun despite an air of seriousness about it, Swann Security has unveiled their Bubble Bomber mini RC helicopter. The latest Bubble Bomber RC Helicopter will be able to offer security staff a fun and unique way to carry out “missions” of their own, where it will arrive complete with the most recent and cutting-edge features of a modern remote controlled helicopter. Apart from that, the Bubble Bomber would also be designed with Swann’s Easy-Fly Gyro technology so that it is a snap for new users without any experience to take to the skies in a jiffy.

Available over at Fry’s for $59.99 a pop, the Bubble Bomber has been named so simply because it will arrive complete with a bubble solution and an injector that will be able to squeeze the liquid into the helicopter’s undercarriage. The moment the Bubble Bomber takes to the skies, you can drop bubbles by pressing the Bubble Button on the 2.4GHz wireless remote control, and have loads of fun doing so. At least it does far more than just have folks gawk at the remote controlled helicopters for a few minutes before their batteries sizzle out.

The Bubble Bomber is operational from up to 1,000 feet away, where it will feature a couple of joysticks as well as trim control on the video game-styled remote so that you can have six-way multi-directional maneuverability, where among them include up, down, forward, backward, left, and right. There is also a “turbo” button that introduces an additional boost of speed as and when required during those high-intensity bubble-blasting missions.

Half a dozen AA batteries would power the remote control, while the helicopter runs on a rechargeable 3.7-volt Li-poly battery that delivers up to 7 minutes of continuous flight time.

Press Release
[ Swann Security announces the Bubble Bomber mini RC helicopter copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Some images need little in the way of introduction. This one shows a soldier climbing a rope ladder attached to a helicopter above infested waters. Soldier. Rope ladder. Helicopter. Sharks. Wow.

Read more…

We’re sure AeroVelo team members think every sleepless night and pedal push are worth it now that they can add the prestigious $250,000 Sikorsky Prize to their pile of bragging rights. They’ve completely demolished all the requirements needed to win the human-powered helicopter competition during one of their recent attempts. Atlas, their flying contraption, stayed in the air for 64.11 seconds, flew at a max altitude of 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) and never meandered beyond the designated 10 x 10 meter (33 x 33 feet) area. The University of Toronto’s creation was locked in head-to-head battle with the University of Maryland’s Gamera chopper for quite some time, but it’s finally bagged the prize that had remained unclaimed for 33 long years. That’s a tremendous accomplishment for anyone, especially for a project with humble beginnings, and if Leonardo Da Vinci were still alive, he’d extend a big congratulazione.

Filed under: Misc

Comments

Via: Popular Mechanics

Source: AeroVelo

One of the most dangerous times for a helicopter pilot is when they’re trying to land in dusty or foggy environments. The lack of visibility can cause peril to both the pilot and crew on the ground. In fact, the Navy says that 3 of 4 helicopter accidents in Iraq and Afganistan missions have been caused by such “brownout” conditions. A system from BAE Systems helps helicopter and other rotorcraft pilots see through the particulate, reducing risk, and bringing in choppers for safe landings.

The system is called BLAST – Brownout Landing Aid System Technology. It uses a set of low-cost, high-resolution sensors along with terrain data to provide pilots with a detailed image of their landing zone, even though they can’t see it with their own eyes. It’s capable of “seeing” through dust, fog, rain, snow, and smoke. It uses a combination of radar and long-wave infrared sensors to provide spatial information to the pilot through a dashboard monitor, a heads-up or helmet-mounted display.

This technology is already available for use, and if installed in more helicopters could prevent numerous unnecessary casualties.

How’d you like to be able to fly over the traffic while riding your bike to work? This flying bike could be just the ticket. This remote-controlled bike actually left the ground for about five minutes. But not with a human onboard. A styrofoam dummy was used instead because it still needs more powerful propellers to carry a real passenger.

The helicopter bike comes from a teamup of three Czech companies. It has four large, battery-powered propellers mounted inside two cages, and weighs a total of 209lbs. It may not do much more than lift off and hover a few feet off the ground, but as they improve things it will get better. Imagine a future full of flying bikes. Of course, if they looked like this, they’d have to fly all of the time, because this thing is too wide and long for the road. It’s also ridiculously loud. Yeah it isn’t very practical. It’s more a proof of concept. But it’s still pretty fun to watch it in flight…

Still, if they can make the engine stronger and have the pilot sitting back more, it could be an economical way to put flying vehicles in the sky.

[via Gizmodo via OhGizmo!]