A Remote (iPhone) Controlled “Quadricopter” with AR gaming coming in 2010?

It seems like every other day I learn about a new application for this phone or that. Today is no exception, well, except that it’s not just an application that has my attention. According to TUAW and Engadget Parrot is preparing to release a remote control 4-rotor helicopter, dubbed a “quadricopter,” baring the name “Parrot AR.Drone.”

The quadricopter is contolled from an iPhone (or iTouch) using its acceleromoter, and is connected through an ad-hoc network giving it approximately a 50 meter range. There are also touch screen controls to take off, ascend/descend, and rotate.

The AR.Drone has 2 cameras, one forward looking (which sends video to the iPhone), and one downward providing the drone its equilibrium and keeping it stable (running at 60fps). The drone boasts two ultrasonic transmitters for vertical stability, a three-axis accelerometer, and a two-axis gyroscope paired with a single-axis yaw precision gyroscope for good measure.

The actual price and release date remain a mystery. Although TUAW was told, pre-Macworld, that it would be in 2010. The guy’s from Parrot have only developed and tested it with an iPhone/iTouch, but have said that support for other phone platform such as Windows Mobile, Palm, and “others” would be likely. I seriously hope that by “others” they mean Android!

The foam body is apparently fairly resilient, and the drone only weighs 3/4 of a pound. If you fly out of range, the drone will take over and softly land itself, which is comforting as I don’t imagine this is going to be too cheap of a toy. The battery life, at least at the moment, is limited to a teasing 15 minutes.

“Control is really pretty simple: hit the take off button and the AR.Drone lifts off and then hovers at about 3 feet. The controls in the app include buttons to rotate left and right, a slider to climb, and a button that — once pressed and held — allows the iPhone to be tipped to tilt and fly the AR.Drone in any direction. If your WiFi connection drops while playing, the drove will stabilize and then land itself without damage or drama. Parrot’s demo games are fun, too — you can choose to fight against a computer opponent that you’ll see on your iPhone’s display (when you’re shot, your drone actually rocks back and forth) or dogfight with a friend.” says Sean Cooper, of Engadget.

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