# Human-Powered Helicopters The Gamera Project is Enviromentally Friendly and Physically Demanding By Josh Triantafilou | Published 2012-06-17 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gamera-project References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/gamera-longest-human-powered-helicopter-flight/19570/picture/140360/) & [agrc.umd.edu](http://www.agrc.umd.edu/gamera/) The Gamera project is a design endeavor being carried out by students at the Clark School of Engineering and faculty at the [Department of Aerospace Engineering](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/temporary-driving-licenses). It is inspired by the [American Helicopter Society's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/american-hiking-society) Sikorsky Prize, which was established in 1980 but has yet to see a recipient. The purpose of the project was to create a [human-powered aircraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-airplane). The initial flights managed to pull off a 4.2 second U.S. national record. Even though they managed to break a few records, the team isn't satisfied and they aim for longer flights this summer. The helicopter is powered by both hand and foot pedalling (although the amount of muscle-power required to get it off the air is a little more than the casual cyclist is probably used to). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.9/10 - Popularity: 84% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Human-powered Aircraft:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop lightweight and efficient human-powered aircraft for various applications. - **Sustainable Transportation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create eco-friendly transportation alternatives powered by human energy. - **Record-breaking Flights:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Push the boundaries of human-powered flight to achieve longer and more impressive records. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Aerospace Engineering:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Rethink aircraft design and propulsion systems to incorporate human energy as a viable power source. - **Sports and Recreational Equipment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Engineer advanced human-powered vehicles and equipment for sports and leisure activities. - **Green Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for transportation and other industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Heavy-Lifting Unmanned Helicopters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heavylifting-unmanned-helicopter.md) - [Hybrid-Powered Unmanned Helicopters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybridpowered-unmanned-helicopter.md) - [Eco-Friendly Stratospheric Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sceye-haps.md) - [Airborne Electric Motorcycle Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kuickwheel-skyrider-x6.md) - [Motor-Powered Diwheels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-diwheel.md) - [Air-Ground Amphibious Quadruped Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airground-amphibious-quadruped-robots.md) - [Sustainable Bamboo-Crafted Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bamboo-drone.md) - [Epochal Electric VTOLs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/epochal-electric-vtol.md) - [Compact Two-Seat Helicopters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twoseat-helicopter.md)