Since the invention of the drone, many people have been uneasy about the idea of an unmanned flying object hanging around, watching and potentially harming people – and for good reason. Sure, some drones come together to perform in symphonies, but others release tear gas from the sky. The good, the bad and the ugly, you’ll find them here. Introducing: the Top 10 coolest, most terrifying drones in the world.
1. The Skunk
Desert Wolf’s Skunk (via Desert Wolf)
In an effort to ‘better’ handle unruly crowds, Desert Wolf created a drone that drops fire from the sky. The company’s newest terror is titled The Skunk, and it’s coming to a concert near you.
The Skunk is an unmanned flying machine that can shoot gas-filled bullets, plastic balls and other terrifying objects at targets – namely large crowds that become unruly. You’d better rethink hopping that fence to touch Bon Jovi.
The first prototypes have already been claimed by the owners of manufacturing plants in South Africa, to allegedly ‘encourage’ their employees, who have been on a 21-week strike, to get back to work. Although unconfirmed, those on strike in South Africa may want to watch the sky.
2. University of Sheffield’s intelligent drone
University of Sheffield’s smart drone quadrocopter concept
Here’s a concept that may both excite and terrify you. The University of Sheffield is working on developing smart drones that can actually understand their environment. Currently, drones are either remote-controlled or are pre-programmed with a particular route. Researchers at Sheffield are hoping to create a smart drone that can assess its environment and respond accordingly.
For example, if there was an earthquake, a team of smart drones could fly overhead and notify emergency response teams if it ‘sees’ any victims trapped underneath rubble. Likewise, if the technology advances enough, it may also play a role in finding wanted criminals and super villains, of course.
Researchers are just starting to develop the technology, but they report that the drones are already beginning to predict the behavior of other drones around them, to avoid collision. In theory, a team of drones could all work together to give emergency responders eyes in the sky. Who knows, maybe it’ll eventually project the bat signal too. We can only hope.
3. Drones that make sparks fly
The view of the fireworks from the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+
If you’re a filmmaker, you may want to consider the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+. It’s a drone that comes equipped with a 1080p built-in camera and three-way brushless gimbal to capture crisp, stable footage anywhere, any time – even during a live fireworks show.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see fireworks from the sky? Jos Stinglingh wondered too, and programmed his DJI Phantom 2 to check out the local fireworks, by hovering directly above them.
Stinglingh strapped a GoPro Hero 3 to his drone and programmed it to fly directly above the fireworks show, while the camera caught all of the action (in 4K, of course). The view is spectacular and the video, titled “Fireworks filmed with a drone,” can be found on YouTube.
The flying machine was able to maneuver through the fire-filled sky without being burnt to a crisp. The newest version of the DJI Phantom 2 Vision can fly pre-programmed routes, programmable right from your smartphone. If you’ve ever wondered what fireworks look like from the sky, now you know. Thanks Stinglingh.
4. Project Tango
UPenn straps Google’s Project Tango to drone to make smart drone
We can’t talk about up-and-coming technology without mentioning Google. Thankfully, this project wasn’t conducted by Google’s team of world-conquering henchmen. Instead, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s GRASP Lab took Google’s Project Tango and experimented to see if it could be incorporated into a drone to create a smart drone that could respond to its environment.
Google’s Project Tango is a mobile device that includes a motion-tracking camera, depth sensors and vision processors to create a 3-dimentional map of its surroundings. Researchers figured that if the technology could be incorporated into a drone, the drone would have a 3D map of its surroundings and easily maneuver around obstacles in a room. While they are still in the developing stages of the project, it is showing short successes thus far.
5. Hexo+
If you’re an extreme sport enthusiast, you may want to check out the Hexo+ drone – your friendly, robot filmmaking team. Now you can will be recorded live every time you pop a wheelie; oh technology.
Hero+ is a drone that is programmed to follow the signal from your cell phone and capture your every move on the GoPro camera. It comes equipped with a stabilizing gimbal and travels up to 43mph. Yeah, it’s pretty sweet.
If you’ve already got a GoPro camera, a basic Hexo+ will set you back $500. Well worth it for the endless possibilities. Who needs a production team to record their home music videos when you can hire a drone? Let the YouTube floodgates open with videos that didn’t need to happen.
The Hexo+ is expected to ship to backers as early as May 2015.
6. Airdog
Speaking of drones that capture your every move, let’s talk about Airdog. This drone takes it’s inspiration from canines, as they faithfully follow their owners everywhere. Airdog follows its controller everywhere, capturing their wicked kickflips and rail slides. For a sizable $1500.
AirDog is also based on the GoPro camera and has some nifty bells and whistles. The drone has a specific feature that detects where you are and always keeps the camera on you, whether you’re jamming on at karaoke or base jumping.
The drone also features a stabilizing gimbal and in flight, it’s fast enough to keep up with your rounds on your dirt bike. It was specifically designed for extreme sports and it is completely waterproof and built to take a beating. If that wasn’t enough, it is foldable. Simply put it in your pocket and take it out right before your hang ten. Oh yeah. The babes will totally dig it.
7. Chocolate drone
If you’re a pretty big fan of recycling and sweet treats, you’re going to love the next drone. What happens when a drone meets chocolate? You get the chocodrone.
The chocodrone is actually made by recycling old chocolate bars and attaching the yummy goodness to the body of a drone. Obviously, it adds to the weight of the unmanned flying machine (just like chocolate adds to the volume of your midsection), so this drone flies a little slower than the rest. Nonetheless, keep up with your fitness by chasing it around your backyard and seeing if you can catch the bar. Delish!
8. Drone for the accident-prone
If you’re accident-prone, you’ll want to consider the Gimball – a drone encased in a rollcage that keeps it safe from the cruel, cruel world.
The GimBall is a tough cookie. Its rollcage prevents the drone from breaking when it knocks into hard surfaces. The secret is the flexible cage, which features a rubber bumper and its structure is composed of ball bearings that absorb impact.
The rollcage itself hovers above the drone’s propellers and rotates around the drone in a way that ensures the camera footage remains stable and high quality. There’s talk about sending this drone to dangerous areas to catch footage. What happens in Vegas no longer stays in Vegas.
9. Unmanned Helicopter Delivers Unmanned Car
We can’t talk about unmanned aircraft without mentioning the military. This year, the military is taking its technology to the next level with the help of Carnegie Mellon’s National Robotics Engineering Center.
For the new project, NREC is teaming up with Sikorsky, a military aircraft supplier, to create an unmanned helicopter than can carry an unmanned vehicle to disaster sites. The idea is that the helicopter will take the unmanned car to areas that may be contaminated with toxic substances. Once on the ground, the car can detect poisonous toxins and notify emergency responders.
The project is being conducted over the next 18 months and rumor has it that it’s only the beginning of military drone technology. Eventually, the unmanned chopper will be expected to transport soldiers and supplies to and from the battlefield during various operations, potentially sparing the lives of the pilots in extreme circumstances. Now that’s worthwhile.
10. Hate drones? No problem.
While this isn’t a drone, it’s worth a mention. If you aren’t a big fan of the unmanned flying machines, you’ll love The Personal Drone Detection System, which notifies you when a peeping drone if within 50 feet of your home.
The PDDS is currently on Kickstarter and lets you know when a consumer drone if flying nearby. It scans the atmosphere of your home via Wi-Fi and notifies you of any moving transmitters (although not all moving transmitters are drones). It notifies users of suspected drones by sounding an alarm or sending a message to their mobile devices, even if they’re on the go.
The unit goes for $499 and is still largely in the development stage. The company claims that with funding it’ll perfect the technology and backers will be the first to know when unwanted drones are a little too close for comfort. It does not, however, block the signal to the drone or deter its flight; it simply lets you know that it’s there so you can ready your rifle. Well, don't do that!
Although they did not reach their kickstarter goal, the system is still on its way!
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Drones aren’t good or bad; they just are. Sure, some rain tear gas from the sky, but others serve as caring dog walkers. Technology isn’t good or bad, but devices do reflect their designers, and we can all agree with the developers behind Desert Wolf’s Skunk have some serious issues. Watch the skies!
C
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