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Taiyo R/C mini-copter first to sense its surroundings
This tiny wireless helicopter is smart enough to avoid hitting the ceiling. While it's probably not as intelligent as a fruit fly, Taiyo has shoehorned a proximity sensor into it to keep it out of trouble. But look in the video: what is that wire hanging down?
Selling first in Japan for $92, we're hoping it has 3-channel steering for control in all directions. If so, this could be the next leap forward in the ongoing wireless mini-chopper renaissance.
Taiyo Corp., via CrunchGear
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By Kyle59 at 4:40 PM ON 09/11/08
"what is that wire hanging down?"
It's the antenna you tool! This heli yses RF rather than IR.
why are you wrighting a post on an RC toy if you know nothing about RC?
By IsoTek at 4:42 PM ON 09/11/08
Charlie, the wire dangling down from the chopper's chassis is the rf antenna. Just like on a RC car. I like the fact that these toy makers are working on making these flying toys smarter but I would feel more comfortable with a sensor that kept it at least 4 inches away from a ceiling. This one looked like it was letting it get to almost half an inch or less close to the ceilig.
By Benwah at 3:24 AM ON 09/12/08
Kyle59, why are you writing a comment when you don't seem to be capable of stringing together a proper sentence?! "This heli yses..." and "why are you wrighting a post..." are just lovely examples of how you failed the public school system. Unless you were somehow trying to pay hommage to the Wright brothers and flight, this is really shoddy writing. Am I Wright, or what?