New Atlas

Drones Audio available

Insect-inspired drone folds its arms for improved flight

Ben Coxworth April 16, 2019

Whereas quadcopter drones simply have four rigid propeller-bearing arms, flying insects are able to adjust the angle of their wings according to the situation. Inspired by that fact, scientists have created a drone that can fold its arms while in flight, allowing for better performance.

The folding-arm drone is claimed to be better than regular quadcopters at flying in the wind, ...

Drones Audio available

Adaptable drone folds while flying to get through gaps

Ben Coxworth December 12, 2018

Although quadcopter drones show promise as a means of exploring hazardous environments, they do have one drawback – they're wide, limiting their ability to squeeze through tight spaces. An experimental new drone addresses that problem, by folding into different shapes while in flight.

The foldable drone takes on an H-shaped propeller arm configuration, allowing it to fit through narrow ...

Drones Audio available

Dauntless UAV can lift 200 pounds over your head

Ben Coxworth November 28, 2018

A few years back, we heard about Mobile Recon Systems' KittyHawk, a large-ish quadcopter that could carry three GoPro cameras. Well, the Kentucky-based company has now announced the new Dauntless UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), which can lift and transport over 200 lb (90 kg).

Drones

Blade Inductrix Switch RTF combines mini-drone and hovercraft

Ben Coxworth November 13, 2018

Three years ago we heard about Parrot's Minidrone Hydrofoil, a radio-controlled model boat that uses a detachable aerial drone for propulsion. Well, Horizon Hobby has now taken a similar approach with its Blade Inductrix Switch RTF, which is a quadcopter/hovercraft combo.

Converting the Blade Inductrix Switch RTF between drone and hovercraft configurations reportedly takes just a few ...

Drones

Battery-packed drone can fly for up to 2 hours per charge

Paul Ridden September 11, 2018

Many battery-powered drones are limited by a relatively short battery life. California's Impossible Aerospace says its upcoming US-1 drone will fly for much, much longer per charge than competitors, and should put electric drones on a par with gas-fueled systems.

Impossible Aerospace has already started selling its US-1 long range drone to firefighters, police departments and ...

Drones

Spry drone flies through the air – and under the water

Ben Coxworth August 28, 2018

If you're looking for a quadcopter that can land on the water's surface to shoot underwater video – well, that would be Urban Drones' Splash Drone. Now, the company has joined forces with tech firm SwellPro to create the Spry drone, which can actually make short "flights" beneath the surface.

Drones

Solar-powered quadcopter can reportedly "fly for hours"

Ben Coxworth August 21, 2018

We've heard about "solar-powered" quadcopters before, in which their battery is charged by photovoltaic panels. Now, however, engineering students have built a copter that draws its power directly from onboard solar cells, apparently allowing it to stay airborne as long as the sun is shining.

Aaron Danner (right) and his student team, with the solar-powered drone

Drones

Quicker, lighter, and even smarter – Fast Lightweight Autonomy program completes Phase 2 flight tests

Matt Kennedy July 19, 2018

DARPA’s Fast Lightweight Autonomy (FLA) program has successfully wound up its Phase 2 flight tests, putting its drones and algorithms to the test in three primary scenarios – all without human assistance or control.

A DARPA FLA UAV negotiates an indoor course at high speed

Drones

Morphing quadcopter gets skinny to go through gaps

Ben Coxworth May 31, 2018

Quadcopters are most stable with their four propellers arranged in a square configuration, with one prop at each corner of the square. Such a setup makes it difficult for the aircraft to fit through tight spaces, however. That's where the Quad-Morphing drone comes in.

A top view of the Quad-Morphing drone in "gap mode"

Drones

LeveTop brings a new form factor to folding drones

Ben Coxworth March 15, 2018

Traditional quadcopters can be kind of awkward to transport, with their four propeller arms sticking out to the sides. As a result, we've recently seen a number of folding drones. One of the latest, the LeveTop, takes the form of a cylinder when not in use – plus it has some other useful features.

The LeveTop drone has a top speed of 33 mph (54 km/h)