Why is so much time and effort being invested in these?

If you shoot one rotor, won't that ruin its flying abilities?

Similarly, if one rotor malfunctions, won't that ruin its flying abilities, too?

5/9/2012 1:37:15 PM

flying machines are notoriously complex

it doesn't matter if its a rotor or another system that fails (the rotors on these are just a fixed propeller anyway, relatively simple for a helicopter)

time and effort is being invested in them because they have unique characteristics and can easily be controlled with computers.

other types of flying machines are being developed as well, not just quadrotors. you see more about them now because of the impressive videos that have been posted on youtube. they have been in development for quite some time

[Edited on May 9, 2012 at 1:45 PM. Reason : d]

5/9/2012 1:43:39 PM

Right, but what major hurdle to they overcome that you can't do with regular helicopters?


Is it the amount of payload?

5/9/2012 1:50:50 PM

Quote :

"Right, but what major hurdle to they overcome that you can't do with regular helicopters? "

stability and maneuverability

5/9/2012 1:53:08 PM

They are mechanically far simpler than (traditional) helicopters, and because of the 4 (also 3, 6, or 8) rotor layout they are easier to fly and stabilize with computers and accelerometers. The flight dynamics are easier to program around.


[Edited on May 9, 2012 at 1:58 PM. Reason : they are literally just a frame and 4 motors/props. The rest is a control board and programming]

5/9/2012 1:55:59 PM

If one rotor fails the others should be able to compensate and maintain stability.

5/9/2012 2:01:40 PM

They make excellent camera platforms for aerial photography. You can buy a control card and then build a quad of any size and the on-board GPS and altimeter will hold it in one spot in the sky. Since the quad will tilt as it adjusts (and also so you can pan the camera around), the camera is gimbal-mounted, and you can buy a card to control the servos for that too.

Replace camera with gun and you can see why this may be something that the government is interested in.


^no, you need all 4 working together. They are counter-rotating and the torque and thrust of each motor/prop is how the craft is stabilized and controlled.

[Edited on May 9, 2012 at 2:06 PM. Reason : d]

5/9/2012 2:04:53 PM

How else could we start S.H.I.E.LD. if we don't have them a base of operations?

They need this:

5/9/2012 2:14:49 PM

kitty quad belongs in here i think

6/4/2012 4:38:57 PM

Did someone say quad rotor?

6/4/2012 6:10:15 PM

More on the flying kitty
http://www.regretsy.com/2012/06/04/orville-wrong/

6/4/2012 10:17:51 PM

Build your own!

http://aeroquad.com/

6/5/2012 9:31:38 AM

These are the best bang for the buck and very stable. That cat quad flew like shit
http://www.rc-drones.com/dji-450-ARF-NAZA.php


[Edited on June 5, 2012 at 5:24 PM. Reason : ]

6/5/2012 5:16:32 PM

A Swarm of Nano Quadrotors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQIMGV5vtd4&feature=player_embedded#!

6/21/2012 12:42:39 AM

I totally want one as a platform for a Canon T3i

6/21/2012 3:25:19 AM

Quad rotors don't have to have all the crazy giros and delicate mechanics in the rotor head like a normal helicopter.

Think of it this way, on these you can adjust 4 quadrants with different amounts of lift which tilts the craft and directs the "trust" a regular helicopter does the same thing by altering the pitch of its rotor blades multiple times per rotation ( left side low right side high front low rear high would make the chopper move forward and bank left for a turn). Now do you think it's easy to change the pitch of one rotor hundreds of times per second or just give the back right fixedbpitch rotor more power then the rest ?

6/21/2012 6:47:01 AM