Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

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Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Scott McCrea » Jan 10, 2010 5:04 pm

This looks pretty cool! Lots more info here. I suppose you'd have to put a big old light on there, too.

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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Squirrel Girl » Jan 10, 2010 5:54 pm

That is pretty cool. No pricing yet, it seems. And Lighting could be an issue. I guess if you can fly the thing smack into the leads, it wouldn't need a beam that goes 50 meters.
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Grandpa Caver » Jan 10, 2010 10:23 pm

Hmmm, any ideas on how far it might be able to fly beyond "line of sight" in a cave enviroment?
BTW: The More info here link didn't work for me.
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby NZcaver » Jan 11, 2010 12:11 am

Try http://ardrone2.parrot.com/parrot-ar-dr ... index.html

Interesting gadget. I'd buy that for a dollar.
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Martin Sluka » Jan 11, 2010 2:33 am

Grandpa Caver wrote:Hmmm, any ideas on how far it might be able to fly beyond "line of sight" in a cave enviroment?
BTW: The More info here link didn't work for me.


it is wifi controlled (radiowaves). small power LED light should be enough (ZebraLight SC30)

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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Tom Gilleland » Jan 21, 2010 12:02 am

As an iPhone developer, I checked the developer kit price and it is $1200.
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Mark620 » Jan 21, 2010 10:09 pm

Is it controlled directly from the I-phone or from the network?
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I-Phone controlled quadricopter

Postby Herman Miller » Sep 12, 2010 5:20 pm

http://ardrone.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/usa/how-does-it-work

Just thought I'd bring up this item to those whome aren't inclined to tinkering or work as engineers at NASA :laughing: . The "Helicopter" is controlled via an I-Phones WiFi and hence would be limited in range. Currently advertised at $300 and with spare parts sold via the website I feel it might be viable as a means to check those obscure holes we always wonder about so far above. Did I mention the "helicopter" provides a live video feed as well.

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Last edited by NZcaver on Sep 12, 2010 11:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Merged with previous topic
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Re: I-Phone controlled quadricopter

Postby rlboyce » Sep 12, 2010 5:47 pm

$300. That might actually be worth it. If you could take video snapshots, you might also be able to use this as a means to create DEMs. http://www.mssanz.org.au/modsim09/F13/dowling.pdf

I can see myself getting in trouble with one of those. :big grin:
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Re: I-Phone controlled quadricopter

Postby Herman Miller » Sep 12, 2010 6:10 pm

I just know others have spent considerable time and money in designing what I think is the same thing. As for current software interfaces it appears the only way to take a photograph is to do a screen capture on the I-Phone. Anyone happen to know the range of an I-Phones wifi?



http://www.ardronehelicopters.com/camera-views-on-ar-drone.html
The cameras designed for this device are very unique, and the Parrot AR. Drone Helicopter Camera Views on the iPhone provide the user with an automated piloting experience like none that has come before. Due to the fact that the AR. Drone has its own WiFi network, the iPhone needs to only connect to have access. The accelerometer of the iPhone allows for the user's movements to control the AR. Drone. For example, A forward movement would correlate to the AR. Drone moving forward.

The Helicopter Camera View on the iPhone comes from the second camera, with the wide angle lens, giving the appearance that the user is in the cockpit piloting. The Camera distributes a live feed, that is displayed on the screen of the iPhone in real time. The Camera view illustrates the environment that the AR. Drone is in, whether it be inside or outside. This camera is situated at the front of the AR. Drone which allows for the point of view access.
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Herman Miller » Sep 15, 2010 2:34 pm

My understanding is that the aerial vehicle serves as the wifi-hub and that the I-phone connects then to it. On another positive not when signal is lost the aerial vehicle goes into auto pilot and lands itself.
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Mark620 » Sep 15, 2010 4:33 pm

Herman Miller wrote:My understanding is that the aerial vehicle serves as the wifi-hub and that the I-phone connects then to it. On another positive not when signal is lost the aerial vehicle goes into auto pilot and lands itself.


I am not sure about that being a good thing....now you have to dome climb to retrieve it :yikes: :roll:
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby rlboyce » Sep 15, 2010 5:30 pm

"Crap! I just lost the connection!"
"Don't worry, look, it's landing itself!"
"... right into the water"
:laughing:
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby Evan G » Oct 5, 2010 10:19 pm

Here is Heli along the same lines but DIY: <<<Here is the original article>>>
Image



Here is the DIY source link so you can build the same or with a dash of cleverness out of carbon fiber: http://www.instructables.com/id/Wooden- ... ter-Build/

The DIY page has a large plans (1552x1216) 278 KB jpg of the original Roswell Quadrocopter was made from paperbacked foam.


:formations: :formations: :formations:
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Re: Check High Leads with iPhone Controlled Helicopter

Postby GroundquestMSA » Nov 30, 2014 4:03 pm

I wonder if anyone has used photography drones to check high leads since this topic was active in 2010? There are now lots of models and some prices seem surprisingly low. If a flying drone could eliminate the need for dome climbs, it would pay for itself very quickly. Of course, cavers probably want to climb domes for fun anyway. As for me, I'm a little scared to get into climbing, and am researching drones with real intent. I have 4 domes of over 100' in two VA caves, and another half dozen or so that have what appear to be leads from 30-50' up. I guess if I find a big lead I'll have to learn to climb anyway, or give the glory to someone else.
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