The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0, the new generation of Parrot’s renowned high-tech quadricopter that can be controlled by Wi-Fi using a smartphone or tablet1, will land in the UK in June 2012.
With a new high-definition camera to enable you to take photos or record videos and the ability to easily share them plus a new piloting mode, increased stability and a brand-new look, the AR.Drone 2.0 offers an experience like no other!
A flying HD camera
Whilst in flight, the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0’’s front camera transmits what the quadricopter sees in real-time on the pilot’s device screen.
For the first time the AR.Drone 2.0 camera, with a 1280×720 resolution, shows a view from the sky in high definition with smooth and unbelievable images. Â The pilot enjoys an experience like never before, as if they were on board. For gaming purposes, this camera can also recognise specific shapes and colours to show augmented-reality elements on the device’s screen.
Record and share flying experiences
Thanks to the new AR.FreeFlight 2.0 piloting application, players can record their own HD flight videos and pictures on the device’s memory and share them with the AR.Drone community using YouTube or Picasa.
The pilot can also save images or videos on a USB key (not included) using the dedicated USB port located under the hull.
AR.FreeFlight 2.0, a new piloting and sharing platform
In addition to flying the AR.Drone, the new application AR.FreeFlight 2.0 – available to download for free from the AppStoreSM and AndroidTM Market, offers players a new interface and several options.
- FreeFlight: Access to the piloting application. Record flights’ HD pictures and videos on the piloting device or a USB key.
- Photos/Videos: Directly access your own videos and photos. Watch or upload to YouTube or Picasa for the community to enjoy.
- Drone Update: Access the AR.Drone 2.0’s free software updates.
- Parrot AR.Drone Games: Access applications/games available for the AR.Drone.
- Get Your AR.Drone: See an overview of the AR.Drone 2.0, videos and practical information.
- Coming soon – AR.Drone Academy: Place for meeting and sharing content with the AR.Drone community. Get geolocation data of the best flight zones, watch other pilots’ videos and access their shared flight data (height, speed, duration, geolocation…).
‘Absolute Flight’, a revolutionary ultra-intuitive flight mode
After the AR.FreeFlight 2.0 pilot application has been loaded onto an iOS or AndroidTM smartphone or tablet, the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 connects to the device via Wi-Fi. After connection, all the on-board instruments appear on the device’s screen.
Press the Take Off button briefly and the four brushless motors turn on and the AR.Drone 2.0 takes off.
Flying is very simple. With your thumbs placed on either side of the screen, a control button automatically forms beneath:
- Press and hold the left button and the AR.Drone 2.0 follows the movement of the pilot’s device: it moves forward, backwards or sideways when you tilt the device forward, towards you or to the left or right.
- Slide your finger over the right button, and the quadricopter rises, descends or rotates right or left.
Thanks to Parrot’s new patented ‘Absolute Control’ mode, the player has access to an even more intuitive piloting system.
With a 3D magnetometer, the AR.Drone 2.0 knows its precise orientation with respect to the device, which becomes the reference point. The pilot no longer needs to think about the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0 and it will continue to accurately track the device’s motion and tilt, regardless of which way the AR.Drone 2.0 is facing e.g. if you tilt your device to the left, the AR.Drone will always fly to the left, making piloting extremely easy.
Experienced players will select ‘Relative Flight’ mode, which is the conventional flight mode. This disables the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0’s magnetometer allowing the pilot to manage the quadricopter’s orientation with no assistance.
AR.Drone 2.0 stunts
For exciting flights, the AR.Drone 2.0 is equipped, for the first time ever, with a ‘Flip’ feature.
Double tap the button on the right side of the piloting device screen and the AR.Drone 2.0 will perform a loop. Both experts and novices alike can now be a stunt pilot!
Surprising stability at any altitude
The heart of the AR.Drone 2.0 contains MEMS (microelectromechanical systems). A 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis magnetometer and a pressure sensor give the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 surprising stability, complete with:
- 2 ultrasound sensors, which analyze flight altitude up to 6 meters and a pressure sensor to provide great vertical stability.
- 4 blades, specially designed for the AR.Drone 2.0, make it possible to carry out smooth flights.
-  A second camera, placed beneath the quadricopter and connected to the central inertial unit, measures the craft’s speed using an image comparison system.
Two hulls made for both types of flight
The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 has 2 hulls with specially designed contours. Made of EPP (a material used in car bumpers), they are light, highly resistant and protect the quadricopter.
For outdoor flight, the contoured hull, available in three colors (orange & yellow; orange & green; orange & blue), reduces wind resistance and preserves the AR.Drone 2.0’s handling and stability.
When indoors, a second hull protects the blades from impact. The black-and-white cockpit, outlined with a red stripe, reinforces the quadricopter’s mysterious, thrilling appearance.
Finally, light-emitting diodes (green for the front, red for the rear), positioned on the landing gear, help the pilot track the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0 for easier flying.
An Open Development Platform
In order to expand the use of the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 and its compatibility with other operating systems and to develop new flying games and applications, Parrot is providing developers and members of the Apple® and AndroidTM communities with a software development kit.
By visiting https://projects.ardrone.org and accepting the terms of the license, developers can access the source code used to fly the AR.Drone 2.0. A wiki and a tutorial are available, as well as a forum to discuss new developments and share feedback with Parrot engineers.
Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 will be available from
Amazon, Firebox, Harrods, Selfridges, High Street Retailers and Hobby Shops
in June 2012 for £279.99 RRP
