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iOS-controlled iStrike Shuttle drops balls on your enemies

iOS-controlled iStrike Shuttle drops balls on your enemies
The iStrike Shuttle sports an official range of around 30 feet (nine meters) and can fly for around eight minutes on one charge
The iStrike Shuttle sports an official range of around 30 feet (nine meters) and can fly for around eight minutes on one charge
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Several iStrike Shuttle units can be flown in close formation for more effective bombing raids
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Several iStrike Shuttle units can be flown in close formation for more effective bombing raids
The iStrike Shuttle is controlled by an iOS app, with third-party apps also expected to eventually materialize
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The iStrike Shuttle is controlled by an iOS app, with third-party apps also expected to eventually materialize
Dream Cheeky states that the device is hackable and an open-source platform will be offered to those interested
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Dream Cheeky states that the device is hackable and an open-source platform will be offered to those interested
The on-board "training wheel" landing stabilizer is said to make landing easier
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The on-board "training wheel" landing stabilizer is said to make landing easier
The iStrike Shuttle sports an official range of around 30 feet (nine meters) and can fly for around eight minutes on one charge
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The iStrike Shuttle sports an official range of around 30 feet (nine meters) and can fly for around eight minutes on one charge
Several iStrike Shuttle units can be flown in close formation for more effective bombing raids
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Several iStrike Shuttle units can be flown in close formation for more effective bombing raids
View gallery - 6 images

The options open to iOS users wanting a miniature aerial vehicle have increased in recent years, with the market-leading Parrot AR.Drone receiving competition in the form of the Swann RC Helicopter and Griffin Helo TC. The iStrike Shuttle by purveyor of office weaponry Dream Cheeky is the latest airborne gizmo to join the fray, hoping to stand out from the rest with an integrated weapon delivery system capable of dropping a ping-pong ball on hapless office co-workers.

The iStrike Shuttle sports an official range of up to 30 feet (nine meters), and expected flying time from one full battery charge is rated at approximately eight minutes, but this can be increased somewhat by removing the ping-pong ball and on-board "“training wheel” landing stabilizer to decrease weight.

Several iStrike Shuttle units can be flown in close formation for more effective bombing raids
Several iStrike Shuttle units can be flown in close formation for more effective bombing raids

Though an Android-compatible app is slated for eventual release, the iStrike Shuttle has been designed with the iOS platform in mind. To pilot the device, one uses an iOS app, with the relevant commands transferred via Bluetooth. There are several user-friendly templates available within the app, in order to cater to both right-handed operators and southpaws.

Future plans for the iStrike Shuttle include a camera which streams video, a ball messaging system (the ball pulls apart to present a written message), and a smart pick-up claw. For now though, Dream Cheeky is focused on bringing the iStrike Shuttle to market. With this in mind, the company has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the required funds, which it reckons at US$30,000.

At time of writing, those who back $85 or more will be able to snag an iStrike Shuttle of their own, with expected delivery time given as “in time for the holidays."

The video below features the iStrike Shuttle pitch.

Source: Kickstarter

View gallery - 6 images
1 comment
1 comment
Slowburn
How well will it survive being launched across the room with a tennis racket after it drops the ball?