Parrot AR Drone Release Date and Price

Way back at CES I saw and talked about the Parrot AR Drone – now Parrot have released information on the price and release date.

So, if you want to get your hands on one, you only have to wait until September in the US (for other regions the release information should be ready soon). And the price – well one of these will set you back $299.

Here’s what Parrot have to say about the AR Drone:

Parrot, leader in wireless products for mobile phones, is unveiling the first quadricopter using augmented reality: Parrot AR.Drone.

With intuitive mobility and universal use, Parrot AR.Drone is piloted initially with an iPhone™ or iPod touch® and allows you to take a spectacular flying journey. In addition to the pleasure of flying, this unique quadricopter can be part of a large number of video games in the real world.

Streaming video on the iPhone™ or iPod touch® screen enables you to pilot the AR.Drone as if you were sitting in the pilot’s seat; the image processing allows for the integration of real-time special effects of augmented reality…

An unseen mix of captors (wide angle camera and high speed camera, MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanicals Systems), 3 axes accelerometer, 3 axes gyro, ultrasound sensor) associated with a powerful computer makes the piloting easy and accessible even for the youngest or non-technologically savvy person.

Thanks to the accelerometer of the iPhone™ or iPod touch® that detects users’ movements, the AR.Drone is very easy to pilot by leaning the iPhone™ forward to move forward or sidewise to corner and change direction.

On the touch pad of the iPhone™, command buttons also indicate some actions such as rise, down, rotate, move back, move forward… Observing the AR.Drone obey each movement of their hands is an incredible experience for the player.

Parrot AR.Drone: imagination has no limits

Parrot AR.Drone is designed for flying inside and outside.

For flying inside, a hull surrounds the propellers and protects the quadricopter if it hits an obstacle. For outside flights, a shaped hull reduces the area to the wind for better manoeuvrability of the quadricopter.

Every flight with the AR.Drone will always be a new experience. Outside, the user will have to take into account the changing elements of the real environment, such as the wind, the sunshine, shadowed areas or any obstacles that appear.

Parrot AR.Drone is also offering an unprecedented multi-player possibility.

Thanks to augmented reality, it is possible to recreate an aerial fight between two quadricopters. The worlds of video gaming and radio controlled models collaborate for the first time, simultaneously evolving in both universes.

Developers can sign up for the SDK here http://www.ardrone.org.

So, do I still want one – you bet I do! Roll on September!

And here is a reminder of the AR Drone in a video I took at CES: