“The VECPAV system uses a sensor tracker to monitor the motion and position of a Draganflyer rc helicopter by using identifier points on the helicopter. The system then analyzes this data and sends commands back to the Draganflyer rc helicopter through a radio control transmitter, telling the Draganflyer rc helicopter to maintain position or move through its flight plan.”

Read the complete press release: “Vanderbilt University Uses Draganflyer RC Helicopters to Develop Autonomous Control System”

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© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

RCHelicopter.com provides information on rc helicopter news, applications & uses, design & construction, power systems, components, and more.

October 17, 2007 — RCHelicopter.com announces the launch of its new informational website. This new online rc helicopter information resource is billed as “Your information source for all things RC Helicopter.”

RCHelicopter.com provides guides and informational articles covering all aspects of remote control RC helicopters. “We saw the need for a place to put together information of interest to rc helicopter enthusiasts and make it available to the community,” says RCHelicopter.com. “We wanted to provide as much information as possible, with a focus on what individuals in the rc helicopter community are looking for.” Take the example of a beginner who is looking for an explanation about the different types of rc helicopters. They would need information that would let them make an informed decision on what they need to get into the hobby. To find this, all they need to do is go to www.rchelicopter.com and check out the articles under remote control RC helicopter design and have a look at the section showing examples of rc helicopters of each type. For someone who wants to learn how to fly, the rc helicopter flight school section contains information on how the controls work and tips on using flight simulators for training. For experienced users, there are articles covering rc helicopter power systems, radio control systems, rc servos, helicopter stabilization systems, and flight data recording & monitoring systems for RC helicopters. The latest news and information section contains articles of interest to rc hobbyists of all levels.

The new RC helicopter website features a streamlined and ordered layout, with a category tree on the left hand side. Clicking on any of the main categories will cause all of its articles to be displayed, along with articles from included sub-categories. Lower on the left hand side are links to other resources and shortcuts to recent posts. At the bottom left the RC Helicopter.com RSS feed is made available. On the right hand side, links to news articles about rc helicopters from external sites are displayed. The center of the home page is devoted to the articles, which are the heart of the site. These are listed starting with the most recent at the top. Selecting any article summary will cause the full version to expand and display.

What information is available and what categories are covered at RCHelicopter.com? The news category features articles on the latest developments in the rc helicopter industry. For information on using rc helicopters to take aerial photographs or video, check out the sections on wireless video and still cameras. There are also categories about commercial, military, and police applications. For individuals interested in technical details, there are categories with information about the different designs and construction of various types of rc helicopters from conventional and co-axial to quad and multi-rotor. The flight school section contains useful articles and tips for beginners. Information on rc helicopter components is also available in categories from power systems (including electric and fuel) to radio control systems, servos, and stabilization methods.

Whether you are considering getting into the rc helicopter hobby, are learning to fly a new helicopter, or are an experienced pilot, check out www.rchelicopter.com. The information available there is sure to peak your interest.

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© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Attention all R/C helicopter junkies…

Sept 1, 2007: Toronto, Ontario - The world’s leading indoor R/C helicopter creators announce the introduction of the new Black Ghost™ indoor helicopter. - In Stores Fall 2007.

The Black Ghost™ IR controlled micro indoor helicopter will provide hours of excitement for the indoor flying enthusiast. The whisper silent patented twin coaxial rotor design is the most stable system ever developed. The digitally proportioned Ifra-Red controls allow seamless turns, climbs and descents. The use of an on board rechargeable lithium polymer battery allows flight times of 5+ minutes on a single 30 minute charge straight from its controller.

The Black Ghost™ flies up/down, left/right and has a forward centre of gravity for a constant forward speed. With 2 channel digital proportional control the pilot will have completely stable and controllable flight. Comes fully assembled with everything you need. Thanks to its advanced software, and remarkable stabilization technology the Black Ghost™ is easy to fly for a novice pilot. A great gadget for the college set and dads.

RTF (Ready to Fly)
Helicopter Length: 160 mm
Rotor Diameter: 140 mm
Weight: 16 grams
MSRP: $49.99

Requires 6 ‘AA’ batteries

About Interactive Toy Concepts

Interactive Toy Concepts, the leader in R/C technology strives to push the envelope by creating cool, high tech toys at prices that make our products accessible to everyone. ITC endeavors to stay at the forefront of new technology by combining innovative products with ‘outside the box’ thinking.

“Our philosophy is to design toys for ourselves and produce them for the masses.”

For more information, visit us at www.interactivetoy.com or contact us at media@interactivetoy.com to request video clips, images, sample requests, product placement inquiries, or to schedule interviews.

Interactive Toy Concepts Ltd.
1192 Martin Grove Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M9W 5M9, Canada
Tel: 416-444-6873 Fax: 416-444-6879 Toll Free in North America: 1-866 214-2220

For more images, videos, related parts and accessories view the Black Ghost™ at Draganfly Innovations Inc.

——
© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan February 09, 2007 — MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is using the Draganflyer RC helicopter in their UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Swarm Health Management Project, which is focused on surveillance and monitoring of ground based objects or vehicles. The goal is continuous monitoring using multiple autonomous vehicles in swarms, with distributed intelligent computer control and minimal human supervision. The multi-vehicle testbed developed by MIT uses several Draganflyer four rotor electric RC helicopters and a computer tracking and positioning system to monitor and control multiple unmanned aerial vehicles. The components of the system communicate with each other through Ethernet connections.

Even though the vehicles used are unmanned, each one would normally require its own ground based pilot, operating it by remote control. What MIT’s system does is place multiple UAVs under computer control. This removes the need for constant human attention and piloting. Not just one, but multiple UAVs, can be directed with MIT’s system via a remote connection. A swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles could be used to monitor a convoy or keep watch over a border. This could be especially useful to the military. The use of multiple UAVs would allow constant aerial surveillance, with new vehicles launched to take the place of ones in need of recharging or those that have been damaged.
The aerial vehicles used are quad-rotor miniature electric radio control helicopters called Draganflyers, measuring about two feet across, manufactured by Draganfly Innovations Inc. These electric RC helicopters are unlike standard model helicopters, because they use 4 rotor blades (one on each corner) to generate directional thrust which is used to maneuver. The use of four rotor blades makes the Draganflyer RC helicopter simpler and more reliable than a standard helicopter, eliminating the need for all of the mechanical linkages required for maneuvering using a conventional single main rotor. The Draganflyers used in MIT’s project are the same radio controlled helicopters used by many hobbyists, and are available from Draganfly Innovations on-line store. The specific models used by MIT are the Draganflyer V Ti RC Helicopter, and Draganflyer V Ti Pro Video RC Helicopter. “We are extremely pleased that MIT has chosen our Draganflyer RC helicopters for use with this ground breaking project” says Zenon Dragan, president of Draganfly Innovations Inc.

MIT’s system makes it possible to have a number of aerial vehicles flying completely under computer control, able to do tasks like surveillance or tracking, all while keeping each individual vehicle from colliding with any of the others. Watch this video: MIT UAV Search and Track Video. The vehicles can all be coordinated on the same task, or be used in groups or individually. The computer control allows for a swarm of UAVs to be flown at once. This removes the necessity for teaching pilots how to manually fly each aircraft, allowing the entire swarm to be directed remotely by a single person. The swarm of Draganflyer RC helicopters are able to launch, land, and recharge, all under computer control. MIT has even demonstrated the ability to land a Draganflyer on a moving object while completely under computer control.

MIT’s UAV SWARM Health Management Project is being developed by Professor Jonathan How, with graduate students Mario Valenti, Brett Bethke, Daniel Dale, Xiaojie Hu, and administrative assistant Kathryn Fischer. They are working with Boeing’s Phantom Works research unit. There is a large amount of interest in this project, and in UAVs in general. The worldwide UAV market is currently worth billions of dollars, and is expected to expand by a factor of three in the next decade.

References:

• MIT’s UAV Swarm Health Management Project Web site
• Watch MIT’s Swarm Project Videos
• MIT Uses Draganflyer Electric RC Helicopters In Intelligent UAV Swarm

About Draganfly Innovations:
Draganfly Innovations has been manufacturing radio controlled helicopters, airplanes, and airships for eight years. From toys to industrial radio control products for police and military, prices range from $29 to $20,000. Draganfly’s innovative products have been featured on CNN Headline News, MSNBC, Discovery Channel, and in magazines and newspapers such as Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, GQ, Stuff, Maxim, The New York Times, and The London Times. Draganflyer helicopters, including the newest Draganflyer SAVS Stabilized Aerial Video RC Helicopter professional aerial video model, are exclusively available from Draganfly Innovations Inc.

Contact:
Devin Ternan, Engineer
Draganfly Innovations Inc.
2108 St. George Ave. Saskatoon, SK. CANADA S7M 0K7
1-306-955-9907
1-800-979-9794
www.rctoys.com

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, November 15, 2006 - Draganfly Innovations, a manufacturer and retailer of radio controlled aircraft announced today the launch of their redesigned on-line store, www.rctoys.com. The new Web site makes it easier for customers to find what they want, and features products unavailable elsewhere.

Founded in 1998, Draganfly Innovations started as a mail order business specializing in radio control flying machines. Initially selling basic radio control airplanes and blimps, Draganfly began to design and develop their own aircraft. Draganfly Innovations currently has a staff consisting of 22 full and part time employees, from various backgrounds such as hobby enthusiasts, engineers, designers, combat robotics participants, and customer service specialists.The store specializes in selling RC helicopters, airplanes, indoor helium blimps, Thunder Power lithium polymer rechargeable batteries, brushless electric motors, and RC radio equipment and components. Draganfly Innovations is the manufacturer of a unique line of quad rotor electric helicopters, named Draganflyers. Rather than following the standard helicopter layout of a single horizontal main rotor with a smaller vertical tail rotor, Draganflyer helicopters have one rotor at each of the four corners, and maneuver using differential thrust. The first Draganflyer helicopter was developed in 2000, and has since gone through several revisions. There are five models currently available including the newest aerial video version, the Draganflyer SAVS (Stabilized Aerial Video System).

“Talking with our customers directly provides a real one on one experience.”

The redesigned website features a smoother, more up-to-date interface, and focuses on customer needs. Dual top and side-bar navigation allows users to move deeper into specific categories, yet still be able to return to any other page with a minimal number of clicks. Individual products have been given their own image gallery, videos, detailed descriptions, technical information, product reviews, related parts and accessories, and suggested items.

“We are excited about the new features, many of which were added in response to customer requests,” says founder Zenon Dragan. “Research into web usability, and extensive user testing played a large role in the redesign”. One of these features is a wish list that allows customers to compile and save items they would like into a list that can be made available potential gift givers. Product software and manuals have been gathered together and made available on a new downloads page. The shopping cart system is even able to intelligently suggest other items that may be needed, based on what is currently in the customer’s cart.

Other new features include product reviews, coupons, gift certificates, a customer support ticket system, order status tracking, and live chat. “Talking with our customers directly provides a real one on one experience”, explains customer service manager Anna.

Shopping with Draganfly Innovations is kept safe using advanced encryption methods which ensure that payment and order information is secure. Payment methods accepted include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal, check, and money order.

Listen to a Podcast of this press release:

MP3 Format
Apple iTunes Format

About Draganfly Innovations:
Draganfly Innovations has been manufacturing radio controlled helicopters, airplanes, and airships for eight years. From toys to industrial radio control products for police and military, prices range from $29 to $10,000. Draganfly’s innovative products have been featured on CNN Headline News, MSNBC, Discovery Channel, and in magazines and newspapers such as Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, GQ, Stuff, Maxim, The New York Times, and The London Times. Draganflyer helicopters are exclusively available from Draganfly Innovations Inc.

Contact:
Zenon Dragan, President
Draganfly Innovations
2108 St. George Ave. Saskatoon, SK. CANADA S7M 0K7
1-306-955-9907
1-800-979-9794
www.rctoys.com

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, November 9, 2006 — Draganfly Innovations introduces the Draganflyer SAVS, a miniature radio controlled electric helicopter with a wireless color video camera. The RC helicopter provides a cost effective alternative to obtaining quality aerial video, which until recently, required renting a full sized helicopter or airplane. The Draganflyer’s self leveling feature and anti-vibration camera system, which produces high quality video, makes it a viable alternative to a full sized helicopter.

Aerial video is in demand for purposes such as surveying, real estate marketing, and inspection of hard to reach or dangerous locations. Due to the expense, noise, and scheduling problems associated with a full sized helicopter, aerial video was not always an option. Prior to the Draganflyer SAVS, mounting a video camera on a miniature RC helicopter would result in a shaky video, and would still require hiring a skilled pilot to control it.

The self leveling feature, referred to as Thermal Intelligence (Ti), works by using four infrared sensors which rely on the temperature difference between the sky and ground. Using input from these sensors, the on-board CPU automatically returns the helicopter to level when the control stick is released. It will stay level until the pilot inputs a pitch or roll command. This makes the RC helicopter easy to fly, and makes professional quality aerial video available to everyone at a low cost.

The Draganflyer SAVS helicopter’s high quality video is possible because of the anti-vibration video camera mount which isolates the camera from any vibration present in the rest of the helicopter. The onboard wireless 2.4GHz CCD camera transmits live video to a ground base station, and uses advanced circuitry featuring several filters and independent regulated power supplies to preserve the clarity of the video signal. The base station features a Diversity video receiver which dynamically chooses the best signal in real time.

Other technology used in the Draganflyer SAVS includes three piezo-gyros (similar to those used on cruise missiles) which aid in stabilization, lithium-polymer batteries which allow flight times up to 15 minutes, and a rugged carbon fiber and nylon frame. The Draganflyer SAVS weighs in at only 19 ounces and measures 30 inches, and comes completely assembled in a custom built hard case including everything needed to fly.

Inevitably, helicopters crash, but the Draganflyer’s carbon-fiber and nylon construction provides excellent durability. The Draganflyer SAVS requires no time-consuming setup. The Draganflyer’s sophisticated design eliminates the need for 95% of the parts required by conventional remote control helicopters. A flight simulator and DVD with complete footage of assembly and training are included.

Listen to a Podcast of this press release:

MP3 Format
Apple iTunes Format

About Draganfly Innovations:
Draganfly Innovations has been manufacturing radio controlled helicopters, airplanes, and airships for eight years. From toys to industrial radio control products for police and military, prices range from $29 to $10,000. Draganfly’s innovative products have been featured on CNN Headline News, MSNBC, Discovery Channel, and in magazines such as Popular Science, New York Times, GQ, Stuff, and Maxim. Retail price of the Draganflyer SAVS RC helicopter including video camera is $2499.95 US, plus shipping. Draganflyer helicopters are exclusively available from Draganfly Innovations Inc. For product aerial videos, please click here.

Contact:
Draganfly Innovations
2108 St. George Ave. Saskatoon, SK. CANADA S7M 0K7
1-306-955-9907
1-800-979-9794
www.rctoys.com