If you've ever been curious about the lives of military UAV pilots -- who control fighter planes from across the planet -- you'll fall in love with the AR.Drone, a smartphone-controlled plane!
Now available for iPhone, iPad and a variety of Android phones, the AR.Drone is precisely the toy I would've begged for as a 6-year-old. Intuitive touchscreen controls let you precisely weave in and out of rooms, terrorizing your friends and relatives. If you're feeling cocky, you could even set up an obstacle course complete with rings and tunnels to fly though.
And if you've already bought an AR.Drone, you may want to test your piloting skills and enter the AR.Drone Challenge -- an event to be held this October in Paris by Parrot, the company responsible for the remote drone.
Smartphone Piloting
The AR.Drone Makes Unmanned Flight an Everyday Possibility
Trend Themes
1. Smartphone-controlled Drones - Creating more affordable and easily controllable drones that can be used with smartphones and tablets can open doors in the UAV market, ranging from personal use to commercial and industrial applications
2. Obstacle Course Drones - Developing obstacle courses for drones to navigate through can create new opportunities for entertainment and competitions, as well as training for pilots in various industries
3. Ar-enhanced Drones - Integrating augmented reality technology into drone piloting can enhance pilots' experience, while also opening up opportunities for AR-focused startups and developers
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - Innovation in smartphone-controlled drones can lead to new consumer electronic products that cater to different pockets and needs of drone enthusiasts worldwide
2. Entertainment - Obstacle course challenges and the use of drones in live events and performances can offer new forms of entertainment for audiences, while also creating new business opportunities for event planners and organizers
3. Military and Defense - The development of more affordable and controllable drone technology can enable more efficient military and defense operations, while also reducing costs and risks associated with manned missions