By Claire Reilly
Here at Current.com.au, we are very happy to spend our time talking about all the newest appliances and technology that retailers get to show off in their stores. But it’s not often that we get to play with technology that can actually fly around a retail store.
Parrot – a French company normally associated with speakers, in-car stereos and hands-free units – has unveiled the newest iteration of its wireless quadricopter, the AR.Drone 2.0.
Following on from the original AR.Drone that was released over a year ago, Parrot’s new model has been updated for improved stability and manoeuvrability, and has a range of new features including the ability to record flights in high-definition before sharing them online.
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According to Julien Galou, Parrot’s marketing manager, the new device is “totally stable in any condition, even more stable than the first AR.Drone”. Galou conceded that the first Drone was “a problem for newbies” but that Parrot had kept the quadricopter’s “unique stability” and made improvements.
Controlled with through the AR.FreeFlight 2.0 app on an iPad or iPhone (the app is set to become available for Android when launched in Australia), users can pilot the drone through the air and simultaneously view video from the on-board camera on their smartphone or tablet device. Footage is then stored on the mobile device, ready to share on YouTube or Picasa, or it can be stored on an on-board USB stick (not included), thanks to the USB port under the hull.
“The most important thing about the Drone is to try it,” said Galou, emphasising that while the product looks great on the shelf and has a load of new technological advancements, the most fun is to be had in piloting it for yourself.
The AR.Drone 2.0 will land in Australia (pardon the pun) in June, and will be available through Dick Smith, EG Games, specialist hobby stores and online for RRP $349.
Julien Galou demonstrates the latest AR.Drone 2.0.
The AR.Drone in action.