The flying machine was tested indoors. Image Credit: YouTube / Darren Quick / NUS
Eight engineering students have built an impressive recreational flying machine dubbed 'Snowstorm'.
Developed at the National University of Singapore, the drone-like device is housed within a lightweight hexagonal frame and is propelled through the air using two dozen motors which are powered by three rechargeable lithium batteries.
Supervisor Joerg Weigl, who originally came up with the idea for the project, has stated that he wanted to build the machine to help people realize their dream of flying.
"Because flying is now a community. People can now fly with a jetliner, but the feeling of flying got lost on the way," he said. "So 'Snowstorm' is our multi-copter where you can get the feeling of flying back, the feeling of flying to anybody who wants to fly."
Unfortunately at the moment the device can only be flown indoors due to legal restrictions, however the team is hoping to continue developing it to the point at which it can be used outside.
"The NUS team will continue to fine-tune Snowstorm, working on mechanical safety measures, propeller and motor configurations, and control software and hardware to achieve the high levels of safety, simplicity, and performance required for recreational use by the general public," associate professor Martin Henz, a supervisor on the project, said in a statement.
It's no Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I hear you. To be anything viable with regards to height, distance and payload I don't think lithium batteries are going to cut-it if the idea is to carry a human for very long... and THAT'S in calm weather, or indoor, I presume. Perhaps a small fuel engine of some sorts? But maybe that's not their purpose (fuel engine) and rather a good "proof-of-concept" for what their design entails using batteries. So I'll just shut-up.
"Unfortunately at the moment the device can only be flown indoors due to legal restrictions" There are rules against using flying machines? Hi, I'm from Singapore. Since our entire country is one big city, we have many high-rise buildings and so flying machines like drones have heavy restrictions on how high they can fly and only at certain locations like in parks.
I LIke the Star Wars models they have been playing with LINK - Star Wars speeder bikes comes a step closer to reality: 'Personal skytrike' takes to the skies in first ever manned test flight
so technically you take a flyable toy drone which can lift a certain weight then you make a similar larger one which will carry on a proportional weight which is yourself. You give yourself a remote and you fly it..what is the big deal?
And right there, my friends, lies the future of personal air transport. It has to happen eventually, we know it's coming, and that's the beginning of a fundamental change in commuting. BRING IT ON!
And right there, my friends, lies the future of personal air transport. It has to happen eventually, we know it's coming, and that's the beginning of a fundamental change in commuting. BRING IT ON! The general public should never have widespread access to self-controlled air transport. It's just too complicated. An automated transport system at some point maybe...
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