Gizmodo: Rc

Lego Mindstorms Fat Boy Is Controlled with Actual Bike Handles

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:00:32 EDT

This remote-controlled Lego Mindstorms NXT Fat Boy bike is cute and stylized enough to guarantee a post on its own. But when you see that the actual controller is shaped like the handles of a real motor bike, then it's just not a matter of writing about it or not. It's a matter of taking a plane to Germany and stealing it.

[Leggor—Thanks J.]

Dragonflies to Explore Mars, Titan, Spook Out Aliens

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT

A new robot called ExoFly could be exploring the surface of Mars, guiding rovers through the surface of the Red Planet. Developed by scientists at the Technical University Delft, Wageningen University, and TNO in Netherlands, the ExoFly is designed to imitate the flight patterns of dragonflies. Dragonflies from 300 million years ago, because these things are huge.

Wingspan: 350mm
Length: 400mm
Mass: 17g
Flying speed: 1.8 ms-1
Flapping frequency: 6 Hz
Flying Time: 12 min
Wing Material: Mylar foil
Structure: balsawood
Motor: 2g pager motor
Camera: 1.2g pinhole camera
Energy storage: 3g Li Polymer cell
Actuators: shape memory alloy wires
Base station: 3GHz PC
Sensors: pinhole camera

Based on the DelFly, an Earth-based robot capable of autonomous flight, with hovering, take-off and landing capabilities. Scientists say the ExoFly can be adapted to fly in the more dense atmosphere of Titan too, so expect a black monolith to appear on the Moon anytime now. [New Scientist]

Micro 4-Channel R/C Flying Saucer Features Accelerometer For Supreme Control

Sean Fallon — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:30:00 EDT

Not long after releasing their super-cheap 3-channel Black Stealth chopper, ThinkGeek is delivering a Micro 4-channel flying saucer with a built-in solid state accelerometer for control. Even if you have poor eyesight and fat, clumsy hands you can always switch on the "EZ button" backup that prevents maneuvers that may send the saucer out of control. A 20 minute charge will get you about 5-7 minutes of flight time, so the whole package seems pretty decent for $100. [ThinkGeek via DVICE]

Build Your Own Linksys WRT54GL Wi-Fi Monster Truck

Sean Fallon — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EDT

If you love R/C toys, this Wi-Fi router monster truck is definitely a project worth tackling. In a nutshell, a guy named Jonathan Bennet managed to rig a very hackable Linksys WRT54GL router to a $5 R/C monster truck so that it could be driven via the internet from up to 500 meters (1640 feet) away. Although not designed to be a how-to guide, there is more than enough information on the project page for someone with some knowledge to put one together at home. [JB Projects via Boing Boing Gadgets]

WowWee Rovio Revving Up for Sept 26 Launch

Elaine Chow — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:00:00 EDT

WowWee's awesome three-wheel webcam-enabled robot will soon be roving to an e-retailer near you! The Rovio, which features a Northstar GPS system and the ability to be controlled through the internet, cellphones, and even game consoles, can be seen on Amazon and pre-ordered for $300 on Hammacher Schlemmer. The scheduled release date is Sept. 26. [Robots Rule via Crave]

Micro Master HG3 R/C Mini-Copter Features Proximity Sensors

Sean Fallon — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:20:00 EDT

Japanese toy maker Taiyo Corp has unveiled an R/C mini-chopper fitted with a proximity sensor that forces the device to descend when it hovers too close to the ceiling. A feature like that makes sense for novice users, and it appears to have 3-channel control, but beginners probably have more to worry about than just the ceiling when flying indoors. Plus, 30-60 minutes of charge time is going to earn you 5 minutes of use, so it may be difficult to justify spending $92 on it. [Taiyo via CrunchGear via Dvice]

3-Channel Black Stealth R/C Chopper For $30

Sean Fallon — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:30:00 EDT

The guys at Think Geek are bringing R/C junkies one of the cheapest 3-channel mini choppers on the market with the new "Black Stealth." Unlike dinky 2-channel versions, the Black Stealth can handle forward flight with ease—or so they claim. In fact, Think Geek goes so far as to say that it is the easiest to fly small copter they have ever used. I would be kind of skeptical with a price tag of only $30, but the video below does a good job of showing off its capabilities.

[Think Geek via DVICE]

Make Your Own R/C Hovercraft Out of Old Junk

Sean Fallon — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:40:00 EDT

My guess is that most of the guys out there would love their own R/C hovercraft, but the bottom line is that not everyone can afford a fancy commercial version. Well, if you have some junk lying around the house, some time on your hands, and you don't mind a hovercraft that is butt friggin' ugly, you can build your own R/C model for under $50 (depending on what kind of junk you have lying around) and the instructions from Project Hovercraft.

[Hacked Gadgets via Make via DVICE]

10 R/C Toys That Are Extraordinary (or Just Plain Weird)

Sean Fallon — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

My experience with R/C toys growing up was limited because it was simply too expensive to take up as a serious hobby. The rich kids had some fancy R/C cars though (damn those rich kids!), and every once in a while I got a chance to take one out for a spin. Needless to say, I loved every second of it. There are countless R/C gadgets on the market these days, but I have put together a list of 10 that are extraordinary, unique, amusing or just plain weird.

RC LED Solar Spotlight Enhances Your Backyard Karaoke

Jason Chen — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:40:00 EDT

Solar powered spotlights seem like a pretty smart idea for areas of the country that have enough light. Think Geek tested it with a south-facing balcony and it was able to get enough sun power to shine both lights at full power for eight hours. That's pretty impressive, seeing as it's unlikely that you'd be in the dark for eight hours unless you were burying a body in your backyard. What's even better about this version is that it's RC, so you can point it at any direction you want via the 20-foot range IR remote. Hell, you can even shine it at your neighbor's window for eight hours at a time if they're being ridiculously loud. [ThinkGeek]

MechRC Looks Menacing, Heralds Cylon Invasion

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:45:00 EDT

Here's the MechRC, a user-friendly, fully-programmable robot that uses a gamepad to control 17 precision servos which provide 180-degrees of movement. It looks Cylon-class badass in this shot, but from a normal angle it's more a black Optimus Prime than a human-killing bot.

The MechRC has an electronic and mechanical expansion system, so you can build your own version. For $760, however, I would pass until I can upgrade it with gatling guns and laser cannons. [MechRC via Toylogy]

Silverlit RC Ducati Motorcycle Racer Leans Into Turns Around Your Furniture

Jack Loftus — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

There are plenty of RC cars and motorcycles out there today, so what Silverlit did with this 1:12 scale red racer is throw on a working driver and let him have some say in where the sportbike is going. Thanks to an onboard gyro, the rider actually leans from side to side, just like those crazy guys I see whipping around European courses on Speedvision. The $96 racer also has an active throttle control and spring suspension, which you'll see in the video, just in case you like to name your RC motorcycle racers Evel Knievel.

The RC Ducati hits kitchen floors this September. [Red 5 via Geek Alerts]

British Artist Paints Using RC Cars As His Brushes

John Mahoney — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

And you thought Etch-a-Sketch was tough. Ian Cook made this portrait of a Chevy Camaro by soaking the wheels of remote controlled cars in paint and then painstakingly driving them around on his canvas. He also uses full-size tires to fill in large blocks of color, but still, the results are pretty amazing—if you've ever tried to ambush your unsuspecting cat with an RC you know how tricky precision maneuvering can be. He's currently camped out at the London Motor Show doing portraits of cars (meta!). The work is especially admirable when you see it coming together in this video, stroke by radio-controlled stroke.

SEE A SPLASH OF 'POPBANG' COLOUR ON THE CHEVROLET MOTOR SHOW STAND!

- Unique Chevrolet Camaro painting wows crowds at British International Motor Show
- Paintings created with remote control cars
- Live demonstration on Sunday August 3

Visitors to the British International Motor Show will be able to check out unique renderings of a pair of very special cars on the Chevrolet stand.

The paintings, of the Camaro Convertible and Beat concept cars – both of which are the stars of the Chevrolet stand, are the work of 25-year old artist Ian Cook from Solihull, West Midlands. But instead of creating the images with a simple paintbrush, Ian used a somewhat unique method of artistry.

The images were created using remote control cars driven through acrylic paints, with further detail added by using old car tyres. As well as cars, Ian has also painted some famous figures from the world of motoring using the same method, including Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and F1 ace Lewis Hamilton.

"I wanted to be an artist from a young age and decided that to be successful I needed something completely unique," said Ian. "I've always been mad about anything with wheels and I figured that using cars to paint cars would capture peoples' imaginations, so I experimented at home by driving some remote control models through paint."

Ian, who calls his art Popbang Colour, used a host of replica GM cars to create the Camaro, including three models of the Camaro Concept itself, live on the show's opening day. He also created an image of the Beat minicar concept, both of which will be on display in the Chevrolet Drivers' Lounge for the duration of the show.

But those who want to see Ian create a masterpiece in person should pop along to the Motor Show, at London's Excel exhibition centre, Docklands, on the final day of the event – Sunday August 3 – from 10.00am.

There, Ian will be using his unique painting method to create an image of British racing star Rob Huff's Chevrolet Lacetti World Touring Car, a week after the series visits the UK for its annual visit to Brands Hatch.

"I can't wait to get started on the racing car," said Ian. "With the intricate liveries and body kits, competition cars require an extra level of detail, and that's where you need skill with the remote control cars."

One thing's for certain – Ian's next creation is sure to go with a bang. Or maybe even a pop...

I Pity the Fool Who Doesn't Get this A-Team RC Van

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:27:53 EDT

Listen up you fools! I know that you cry and cry because you can't get a cool van like mine! Stop whining now and get the RC version for just 60 Washingtons! Or ask your mama for it if you don't have the money!

And remember, mother there's only one, so treat her right!

Fools! [Firebox via Toyology]

Floating, Off-Roading, BB-Shooting RC Tank Delivers Beer, Removes Eyeballs

Jack Loftus — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

We think Danbar Toys has a winner on its hands today with this $92 amphibious BB-shooting RC tank, with cupholders. I mean, what better way to cap off a beer-fueled barbecue than with a remote-control tank that can go anywhere, turn on a dime, and take people's eye balls as war trophies at the same time? The "creatively written" instruction manual (borderline Engrish) cautions against firing at people or animals, but we've had a few already this morning, and Uncle Bob and his stupid cat are totally asking for it. Drink, er, fire away.

And, this thing can deliver a mean cocktail and turn in place while moving, no sweat. Great news for finicky guests that change their mind at the last second.
[Danbar Toys via Technabob]

Team from UC San Diego Use Human Face as Remote-Control Unit

AddyDugdale — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EDT

This is possibly the ultimate hack—turning your face into a remote control unit. A computer-science Ph.D student from UC San Diego can use his fizzog to speed up or slow down video, as part of a project that hopes to make robots better teachers using automated facial expression recognition.

Jacob Whitehill, who is leading the team from the Machine Perception Laboratory, reckons that it could put an end to confused students during lectures. "If I am a student dealing with a robot teacher and I am completely puzzled and yet the robot keeps presenting new material, that's not going to be very useful to me," he said. "If, instead, the robot stops and says, 'Oh, maybe you're confused,' and I say, 'Yes, thank you for stopping,' that's really good."

Whitehill gave a German grammar lesson in his lab—ja, ja, das is fantastich!—and recorded it using video-conferencing software in an effort to understand the facial expressions used by people as they learn and process new information. Nods from the students generally meant understanding of the subject, while a frown or puzzled look means, "Wassee on about?"

There's a video of Jacob and his fabulous zapper face in action here, and the team's findings are being presented today at the 2008 IEEE International Workshop on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition for Human Communicative Behavior Analysis. [Science Daily via Neatorama]

Disney RC Tinkerbell Ornithopter Redefines the Term "Flying Fairy"

Benny Goldman — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:07:59 EDT

This Disney RC Tinker Bell is one seriously sweet flying fairy. As you see in the video, it's using WowWee's FlyTech ornithopter-type vertical flying system to flutter, glide and dive around this Waldorf-Astoria suite. It'll be out in the fall for $40. [Disney]

The Remote Controlled Tire is a World's First, and With Good Reason

Sean Fallon — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT

No one has ever created a remote controlled tire before? Really? I'm shocked. Believe it or not, only one company was crazy enough to develop an RC tire, and that is a Vietnamese company named Tosy. In fact, because of its odd shape and apparent capability to move forward, backward, left and right—I'm not even sure this thing really exists. Still, the product is up on the Tosy site—sans pricing and availability information. [Tosy via DVICE]

Flying RC Penis Disrupts Garry Kasparov Speech

Jason Chen — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:00:00 EDT

We had to double check that this wasn't a story about Second Life, but rather is an actual event in actual meatspace occurring this past weekend in Moscow. As former chess champion Garry Kasparov was giving a speech to unite opposition political forces, a radio-controlled penis flew across the room to some applause and laughter. The fun was ended when a dour-faced man smashed the penis out of the air. That's always the case, isn't it? Some guy's having fun with a flying penis when some joker just has to ruin the party. [India Times via Sharenator]

RC Beer Cooler Robot Now Available For Pre-Order

Sean Fallon — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:30:00 EDT

It was a big hit at CES, and now you can get in on all of the drunken laziness. The device will be available from Solutions on May 23rd for $69.95 and from Firebox on the 28th for $78.30. [Solutions and Firebox via Toyology]

Maker Faire: Remote Controlled Battleships Fighting With BB Gun Cannons

Brian Lam — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:40:00 EDT

Why do I need goggles to watch R/C ships sailing in a pond? Because these replicas of WWII battleships fire C02-powered projectiles. In the video above, you can see munitions bounce off the plexi shields protecting the crowd and make splashes as they ricochet off enemy hulls. The Western Warship Combat Club is recreating Axis vs. Allies fights where each side tries to sink the other. At 1/144 scale. [Western Warship Combat Club Maker Faire]

A10 RC Model vs the Real Thing at Top Gun 2008

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Here's the 1:5 scale A-10 Warthog remote control model in some video action at Top Gun 2008, in Lakeland, FL.—the biggest remote controlled airplane competition in the world. And to match it, a real A-10 appeared on the scene, taking off from a parallel runway. We interviewed Mike Selby, one of the model creators, and got all the technical details about this amazing $12,000 beast, with two jet turbines, three on-board microprocessors, 24 servos, a 1" OLED display in its cockpit and a fully-functional gatling gun. Jump to see all its amazing details in a 26-photo gallery. [Video and images courtesy of Bob Parrish]

Fat Shark Wireless RC Glasses Let You See Through Your Car In First Person

Jason Chen — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:14:27 EDT

We were too poor to play with RC cars when we were kids, but it seems like it was worth the wait in order for these Fat Shark Wireless RC Glasses to be invented. Strap the glasses on your face and you'll be able to see through the actual head of the RC driver. Better yet, the head can pivot and tilt so you're not always looking straight ahead in front of the car. We only wish it would be adapted for Top Gun 2008, the end result of which would be tons and tons of "pilots" puking on the ground. Video (of the ground model) after the jump. [Hobby Media]

Top Gun 2008: Biggest RC Airplane Competition in the World

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EDT

They may not be made of LEGO or Star Wars-related, but if you like amazingly detailed, huge aircraft models—like the SR-71 above—head to Lakeland, Florida, and Top Gun 2008: the 20th anniversary edition of the biggest RC model competition in the world. It starts tomorrow, five days of pure nerdgasm watching the most stunning remote control aircraft in the world. More details, plus a gigantic gallery from 2007 after the jump.

"This year we have 125 partipants," show organizer Frank Tiano told us, "with 40 hobby vendors and coverage from 35 magazined from all over the world." In a good weather day, Top Gun gets 10,000 drooling spectators.

Looking at the detail and size of these beasts, we can understand exactly why.

Frank also confirmed to us that the A-10 featured in Popsci.com was going to participate in the competition, as well as many other new entries. So if you are around, it's a complete must, Maverick's glasses not required (but recommended.) [Top Gun—photos by Palmer Johnson, DVD video available from Wildberry Productions]

NOTE: if you're planning on assisting the Top Gun 2008 event, contact us at tips@gizmodo.com if you want to collaborate with us.

Mario Theme Played with RC Car and Wine Bottles

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:02:01 EDT

What can you get from a RC car with some wires attached and a lot of wine bottles? Drunk driving and the Mario theme, that's what. We have included the complete lyrics so you can sing along after the jump.

Today, full of energy, Mario is still running, running
Go save Princess Peach! Go!
Today, full of energy, Mario runs
Today, full of energy, jumping!
Today, full of energy, searching for coins
Today, keep going, Mario!

Get a mushroom - it's Super Mario!
Get a flower - it's Fire Mario!

Goomba! Troopa! Buzzy Beetle! Beat them all!
Mario is always full of energy and strong!

[Spoken] The only one who can reverse the spell that has captured the Mushroom People is Princess Peach. But Princess Peach is hidden underground, in a far-off castle. Ah, the days of peace... if we could once more return to those days... to save Princess Peach and bring peace back to the Mushroom Kingdom, that is why Mario is on his journey today.

Today, full of energy, Mario is still running, running
Go and beat the Koopa tribe, go!
Today, full of energy, Mario runs
Today, full of energy, jumping!
Today, full of energy, searching for coins
Today, keep going, Mario!

Get a star - become invincible!
Quickly, go save Princess Peach!

Lakitu! Blooper! Cheep Cheep! Beat them all!
Mario is always full of energy and strong!

Today, full of energy, Mario is still running, running
He's made it to the castle and gets fireworks!
Lightly sidestepping the Hammer Bros.
Show the last of your power, Mario!
It's been a long journey but it's nearly at an end
You've done it, you've done it! You've defeated Bowser!

Princess Peach says "Thank you"
Mario's got a great big heart!

Mario's adventure is over for now, but
Mario's dream lives forever...

Come on. Sing. You know you want to. [Break via Boing Boing —lyrics taken from Destructoid]

X-48B Video Shows World's Biggest RC Model Plane in Action

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:20:00 EDT

NASA has released the first video of the remote controlled X-48B Blended Wing Body 8.5-percent scale model. At 21-foot wingspan, it is the largest surviving RC model in the world, ~~easily crushing the previous king~~. For sure, Skyray 48 is not your typical RC plane, but it's the baddest, best-looking mother of them all. The video itself is cool if only to hear the pilot talking with the tower (and is it me or can you hear someone dying at the end?)

The 10-minute video documents the perfect flight of Skyray 48, the Boeing-NASA prototype of what could be the future of commercial aviation. Thanks to its design, designs derived from the X-48B will have less power consumption and less emissions, while increasing carrying capacity and speed compared with current cargo and passenger aircraft.

The plane took off last year from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base, in California, controlled from the ground by Boeing pilot Norm Howell. [NASA]

Z-Flyer Hand Command Robot Lets You Play With Your Hand, Negates Guilt

Haroon Malik — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Here's an interesting take on RC flying bots; the Z-Flyer Hand Command Robot hovers right above the palm of your hand, wherever that maybe, you dirty devil. The astronaut shuns a conventional remote control, instead relying on your very own hand; how well it will work is questionable, but it is certainly a cool idea. Hell, for £24.95 ($50) we're willing to bite. If the innovative control system didn't have us sold, the flashing green LEDs should do it for sure. The Z-Flyer will give seven minutes of flying time on a ten minute charge, and it docks into the central space station to get the juice levels up—how cute. [Gadgets.co.uk via NerdApproved]

Corgi H2GO RC Car Turns and Runs on Water

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:14:39 EST

The Corgi H2GO is a RC card powered by a fuel cell that gets refilled with hydrogen extracted from water. Like the previous model, the H-Racer, it uses solar-powered electrolysis to do it. Unlike the straight-line-only H-Racer, however, the H2GO is a real RC car that can actually turn left and right. Playing Dr. Manhattan will set you back $255. [Corgi via Pocket-Lint]

R/C Spy Snooper Robot is Undetectable...Like a Fat, Clumsy Ninja

Sean Fallon — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:00:21 EST

According to the product page, the R/C Spy Snooper robot vehicle is "capable of entering a room undetected." Call me crazy, but you would have to be blind, deaf or both to miss a robot that measures 9-inches long and about 10-inches high when it enters a room. On the plus side, the device looks pretty cool and it can transmit audio to a receiver up to 150 feet away. Just don't expect to pick anything up except laughter and not-so top secret information on how much of a tool you are. Available for around $80. [Product Page via Gadgets News via Geek Alerts]

Tunnel-Flying an RC Airplane, Chasing With a Car

Charlie White — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 09:27:50 EST

Check out these guys who took a radio-controlled airplane with an 80-inch wingspan capable of a 120mph top speed and flew it through tunnels under Stockholm, Sweden, as they followed along just behind it in a car. A stunt like this is certainly not recommended for those of you who just got a radio-controlled airplane for Christmas, but if you're a good enough pilot, you just might be able to pull it off. Just make sure you attempt this feat when there's not too much traffic around. [YouTube]

Kyosho Robo Hopper Helicopter Man: The Movie

Jason Chen — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:15:33 EST

The Kyosho Robo Hopper beats los pantalones off other similar flying toys like the RC Helicopter or the WowWee Dragonfly because it reminds us of a Japanese Inspector Gadget. Check the guy out in full motion as he whirls around a Japanese office space complete with snazzy Japanese soundtrack. Go Go Gadget Decapitation Device! [Daily Motion via Uber Gizmo]

Sleek R/C Ninja and Swarthy Pirate Fight it Out In Your Own Home

Charlie White — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:36:04 EST

First we showed you the remote control pirate ship, and now we introduce to you the pirate himself, in a vicious R/C battle against his ninja nemesis. Of course, since ninjas are superior to pirates in every way, this should be no contest. Jump to the next page to watch the video of the two inflatable warriors duking it out in a sumo-like confrontation, where the pirate looks appropriately drunk, and the ninja is nimble and swift, as usual. But the ninja just isn't invisible enough for our taste. Anyway, either watch the video or you'll just have to guess who wins in this epic video battle.

Obviously the ninja emerges victorious, as usual. Sorry, but we just lean toward ninjas. Want a rematch? Stage your own battles for $39.99. [Think Geek]

Robot Plane Nosedives Into Truck Full of Soldiers

Charlie White — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:51:23 EST

There's little info available about this robot drone's ill-fated flight, but it appears that the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) got confused and flew right into a truck full of soldiers. We can't be sure why this happened, but according the U.S. Defense Department, "A significant contributor to UAV mishaps is the experience level of UAV operators and maintainers." Was the soldier seen here piloting the remote-control craft? He seemed to have some sort of control device in his hands. There are plenty of R/C airplane pilots with astonishing skills—maybe the U.S. military could get some of those dudes signed up. [Danger Room and Naval Safety Center]

Torment the Dog, Kids, and Wife with the Palm Z RC Airplane

Mark Wilson — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:45:22 EDT

I have an unnatural obsession with all things remote controlled, probably stems from the need to control the things around me. The new Palm Z Silverlit Mini RC Airplane is the Picco Z for this year and these things are every bit as fun as the Picco Z, minus the vertical takeoff and landing bit.

The Palm Z charges from the controller, but unlike the Picco Z, there is no cable to connect to recharge the plane. The Palm Z connects to an adapter built into the controller, which is much easier than fiddling about with a cord. The plane is full function with climb, descend, left and right controls. With impact-resistant foam, construction crashes won't automatically destroy the plane. I crashed it several times into walls,
doors, the dog, my wife and a few other things. The plane was really no worse for the wear. Piloting the 8-inch wingspan plane is easy thanks to a slow flight speed and you can even pull some loops. Three Palm Z's can be flown at once thanks to multiple controller frequencies. The Palm Z retails for $39.50. [product]

- Shane McGlaun

- video by Richard Blakeley

Next-Gen Tomy Heli-Q RC Helicopter Takes to the Skies Next Month

Charlie White — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:10:00 EDT

Japanese toy giant Tomy says it's about to roll out the next generation in tiny copters, and it's calling this one the Heli-Q. The company says this is the world's smallest radio controlled toy helicopter, but other than its smaller size, its specs seem similar to those of Picco-Z Styrofoam helicopters we've flown before. The Picco-Z took a 20-minute charge of its battery to give us an eight-minute flight, but Tomy conservatively says this Heli-Q will fly for five minutes on each charge.

We like its bubble-front design, which looks a lot cooler than those Jet Ranger replicas we've tested. There are no photos of its remote control, but from the looks of its rotors it may have the same control system as the Picco-Z, too. Tomy didn't quote price, but said the Heli-Q will hit the market next month, just in time for the annual Christmas buying spree. [Tiscali News, via Spluch]

Ford GT Nitro Gas RC Car Goes 60MPH

Charlie White — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:40:00 EDT

As far as model cars go, this Ford GT Nitro Gas RC car is gigantic. Just over 3 feet long, this 1:5 scale car is big enough to knock you down and kill you if you get in its way, so you'd better have a big parking lot where you're going to race this thing. It must be a tremendous sight to see this low-slung car zipping by at 60 mph. That's just downright frightening. You can now get one for $649.99, and hey, it's on sale—it used to cost $200 more. [Wowzzers, via 7 Gadgets]

Kyosho's Robo Hopper Hops into Our Faces, Pectorals and Hearts

Haroon Malik — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:10:00 EDT

We have just realized our lives are far from complete. Please do not be shocked, we also thought blogging for a living was the abstract definition of self-completion. Apparently not, the Robo Hopper, an RC flying robot fashioned like our lovable buddy Asimo, has made us realize we need a flying robot/astronaut toy to complete us.

The little spaceman is, an impressively small, 6" in height and the package includes a 2.4GHz 2-channel transmitter. The device will run on four alkaline batteries and will be available in time for Christmas festivities this year for 10,290 yen ($89.80). If we can't go to the moon, at least our radio controlled brethren can live our dreams for us—fly, little fella. Fly! [ Product Page via Sci Fi Tech]

Real Flying Saucer Takes to the Air

Charlie White — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:20:00 EDT

Discover is reporting on researchers at GFS Projects in England, who have now created an unmanned flying saucer, or depending on your point of view, an unmanned flying lawnmower without wheels or a handle. For now, it's a way-cool radio controlled aircraft, but maybe someday a real flying saucer could result from this experiment.

This soaring hubcap has a problem with fuel efficiency, though, say the tinkering flyboys. It starts running out of battery power quickly because of all the air it needs to push to stay aloft. Back to the old drawing board?

To hell with pushing air like some kind of reverse upside-down vacuum cleaner—we want an antigravity flying saucer. Until then, this craft, like helicopters albeit to a lesser extent, is a collection of lawnmower parts flying in close formation. [Discovery, via Spluch]

Video of World's Largest RC Airplane, the B29 Dina Might

AddyDugdale — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:49:13 EDT

From Belgium, the B29 Dina Might is the world's mightiest remote-controlled plane. With a wingspan of almost 30 feet, it weighs 463 pounds and runs off four 160cc engines. Spin those propellers, mate. [Live Leak]

50-Knot Sentry Drone Is the Ultimate in RC Boats

AddyDugdale — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:30:12 EDT

Just eleven and a half feet in length, the Sentry is an unmanned surveillance craft from British defense firm Qinetiq that can hit speeds of 50 knots. The boat, which can work up to 16 miles from its controller, and go for up to six hours, is on show at an arms fair in London this week, and has all sorts of tricks up its sleeves.

With a beam of just over four feet, the Sentry stands three feet above the waterline, and its remote control uses a PC-based console. On board is a camera for day or night use, microwave data-link communications gear, and a lighting rig that meets international maritime standards, according to Qinetiq.

Suggested missions include harbor patrol, battlefield reconnaissance and damage assessment. Not a swimming pool toy, then. [Crave]