Gizmodo: kite

Silverlit Kazoo Electric Indoor "Kite" Completely Misses The Point

Sean Fallon — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:40:00 EDT

Isn't flying a kite about skillfully utilizing the wind to keep a cloth contraption aloft? Sure, there are high tech indoor kites, but the Silverlit Kazoo completely breaks with convention by using an electric motor.

In fact, the only justification for calling this thing a "kite" and not an R/C aircraft is the fact that the remote control is tethered to the propeller engine with a cord. Still, if you want to simulate kite flying indoors without paying for fancy ultralight, windless versions—$15 for the Kazoo is an attractive option. [Hobbytron via GadgetGrid via OhGizmo]

Kite Aerial Photography: The Camera Places Its Life In Your Hands

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:30:00 EDT

Instructables user Mikeasaurus used household items— including thumbtacks and a Bic pen— to make a remotely-triggered rig for his kite, compatible with any camera. Well, any camera he felt comfortable dangling off a kite.

As much as we love complicated, Arduino-based wonders of homemade coding, sometimes it's nice to see a simple, MacGuyvered mechanical creation. We're not sure anyone would want to make exactly this example, but check out the guide, it'll give you an idea how he made it. [Instructables via Lifehacker]

Star Wars Kites Are Cool, Unfortunately Don't Have Lasers

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:56:08 EST

It's so sunny here in Madrid. I wish I could be out flying these Star Wars spaceship kites, instead of working here. OK, I lied: I actually wish I was out having tapas and wine.

I mean, I like the TIE Advanced, but I like tapas and wine more. [Think Geek]

Nereus Kite-Powered Water Pod Racer Can Dive

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:25:00 EDT

The Nereus is a kite-powered watercraft which looks like the product of an orgy between a hammerhead, a manta ray, a Japanese bike and a Storm Trooper. Inspired by kite-surfing, the designers of this water pod racer say that it will "achieve relatively high speeds on and under water." We don't know how high speed diving can be possible with the sea dragging you, but we know how you make it work.

According to them, you would be able to control the Nereus by just turning the handlebars, like using any bike. The handlebars are attached with strings to the kite, employing the same principles used in kite-surfing. To dive, you only have to push down, and the Nereus will dive for a few seconds before emerging again because of the kite dragging it out of the water. Sounds crazy, and we want one. [Behance]

Biokite: Is Flying a Kite Indoors Weird?

Sean Fallon — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:20:35 EST

There is something a little bizarre about the idea of flying a kite indoors —but in reality, that characteristic makes the BioKite ideal for the disabled.Thanks to a super aerodynamic structure and extreme light weight of only 10 grams, the BioKite can fly in completely windless environments. It can also be accurately controlled using the fishing rod and reel attachment. Just don't expect this sort of cutting-edge kite technology to come cheap. Available for 11,000 Yen or $100. [Product Page via Japundit via InventorSpot]

Keyring Kite

gizmodo.com — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 12:58:18 EST

A lot of the little gadgets that we post about are chosen because they're just so pointless that they must be lovingly mocked in a public forum, but we think the Keyring Kite, a fully-functional kite that folds into a pouch so small it fits into your pocket, is a thing of beauty. If you live somewhere the weather sucks all the time, like Seattle or London, carrying this around on your keychain is like carrying around a little piece of hope that one day it might just be sunny enough for you to use it.

Keyring Kite [I Want One Of Those, via Seihin-World]