Worlds first controllable robotic samara monocopter MAV, University of Maryland's Ulrich flyer

The culmination of 3.5 years of research has led to controllable monocopter that can autorotate like a maple seed (Acer diabolicum Blume) and fly like a helicopter (hover and forward flight). The vehicle, invented at the University of Maryland, Aerospace Engineering Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory and Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center, is the smallest and most capable to date as it meets most of the challenges set forth by DARPA's nano-air-vehicle program.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[cgrant26]

With the proper electronics and gyros you could sync a camera's framerate to the rotations for a stable video feed.

Neat!

[David Nottebohm-Knochenhauer]

Why you don't trigger the Camera in the OnBoardCam with the rotational speed, to get a still picture?

So you can easily implement a 360° roundview.

[MrNullcast]

My God! You've built a manhack!

[majestiktrix]

At Eric's presentation at savage library! Swaggg

[majestiktrix]

Awesome

[shoegooguru]

i want one of these just so I can start a UFO sighting frenzy in my neighborhood.

[John Doe]

....this is new?I study with a men with very similar design.

[GreenmeGo]

nice robotics

[Stan jackson]

Are you really that dumb? Really? 

[anjin33]

I want one!

[warren52nz]

They have some stuff to sort out if they're ever going to make a manned version. I get dizzy just watching it. 8^)

[Jad Collado]

Air hogs vectron?