Nixie, the flying drone camera is a secret agent’s dream

nixie1

If Mr. Bond is reading this, he now knows what’s the next gadget he will need to ask for: Nixie is the ultimate flying drone camera made wearable.

As a part of Intel’s Make it Wearable (MIW) Challenge, Christopher Kohstall and his team created the Nixie, a flying robot/drone with a camera that goes mounted on the user’s wrist. Intel’s idea is to push the wearables market forward by creating some of the most unique gadgets around, in portable form, and Nixie is a fantastic example of the concept.

The idea is that the Nixie will act as a camera with propellers, detach itself from the users’ wrists and fly away while taking images for the owner. Of course, the first thing we imagined it was the use secret agents and spies could give it, but it’s probably great for taking selfies too.

If (hopefully when) the Nixie team end up winning the contest, they’ll get funded by Intel and the gadget will become a reality that tech enthusiasts could be able to buy at any store. Well, color us interested!

Via Petapixel

 

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories at Google’s Project Wing Drone-Based Delivery System Gets Tested in Australia and Electrolux Bartender Drone Mixes Drinks, Delivers Them in Flight.

NHK developing hybrid renewable energy-powered video camera for use in disaster areas

NHK developing hybrid renewable energypowered camera for use in disaster areas

You can always count on Japan's NHK to come up with new, exciting and innovative ways to bring us video coverage. The latest project? A wind- and solar-powered robot camera designed for situations such as natural disasters. Loaded with a 1,200 Ah battery, even if the elements don't bless it with sun and air, it can keep filming for two to three days. The combination of wind turbine and solar panels obviously allow it to generate more power than either method on its own, with the turbine reportedly generating 1 kW at 11 m/s wind speeds. A special power-saving mode prevent it draining too fast when full functionality -- such as the built-in wireless, cellular and satellite broadcasting systems aren't needed. Currently the prototype is installed on a rooftop while battery and power-generation are fully tested, but it's hoped that this could lead to further developments for disaster area broadcast equipment. Or -- here's hoping -- power-cut-proof sports coverage.

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NHK developing hybrid renewable energy-powered video camera for use in disaster areas originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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