 |
Spherical Flying Machine |
 The
Japanese have been way ahead of the curve in the robot world for many years. Combining autonomy with wireless
control has led to this "Spherical Flying Machine" that was demonstrated by the Japan Ministry of Defense.
Beginning with a dose of theatrical showmanship, the mystery craft jumps out of a round Styrofoam container after
the lid is suddenly popped off. What emerges is a very obviously highly stable and maneuverable sphere that
effortlessly floats above the stage and audience, while intermittently flitting about like a dragonfly moving
along the shoreline from cattail to cattail. Multiple onboard gyroscopes provide attitude control and stability so
effective that even after being hit or pushed, it rights itself. Flying is not its only method of locomotion; once
on the ground the spherical flying machine becomes the spherical rolling machine. It can also hug a wall near the
ceiling and navigate through a building. This allows it to be used for surveillance in almost any environment. Its
quiet electric motors, most likely powerful, microprocessor-driven brushless models given life by high-C lithium
polymer batteries, provide plenty of motivational force. A 2.4 GHz radio control system was used for guidance.
Come to think of it, I am surprised that
HRP-4C was not chosen to
conduct the demo rather than a mere human. Even though the Spherical Flying Machine was developed for military
purposes, I'm guessing that soon there will be a consumerized version available via hobby outlets.
Spherical Flying Machine Video
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Posted January 24, 2012 |
 |
This archive links to the many video and audio files
that have
been featured on RF Cafe.  |
 |
|
Please Support RF Cafe by purchasing my ridiculously low−priced products, all of which I created.
These Are Available for Free |
|
|
About RF Cafe
Copyright: 1996 - 2024 Web BSEE - KB3UON RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling 2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps while tying up your telephone line, and a nice lady's voice announced "You've Got Mail" when a new message arrived... All trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images
and text used on the RF Cafe website are hereby acknowl My Hobby Website: |
|
