This is a very interesting, long, read about the Zano project 's severe flame-out

[G+_Jeff Brand]

This is a very interesting, long, read about the Zano project's severe flame-out.

 

From a technical perspective, I wonder what's out there in the RC community to replicate the quad form factor and the claimed functionality. It's a significant departure from craft discussed here, namely the brushed motors.

 

Seems like it would be a fun (long-term) project to try and replicate their goals as a DIY project.

https://medium.com/kickstarter/how-zano-raised-millions-on-kickstarter-and-left-backers-with-nearly-nothing-85c0abe4a6cb#.43336s36r

[G+_Steve Martin]

I read the article and found it very interesting as a cautionary tale. They dove in on something they had little understanding of and far over-promised.

 

Reading the intended functionality I agreed that there was no way to accomplish what they were shooting for in such a small package using some of the technology they were considering.

 

Arduacopter, http://copter.ardupilot.com/,  sounds like a very cool open source Arduino based system that accomplishes a good deal of what Zano looked to be attempting, but requiring a considerably larger platform.

[G+_Jeff Brand]

That project looks very cool and would be a great resources.

 

There are other similar drone platforms that have a good portion of the capabilities they were aiming for. I think it's feasible to get the weight down to something closer to Zano size, with compromises, and lots of custom circuit design and board fab. The optimal result is somewhere in the middle...

[G+_Gilbert Knarr]

That was a very interesting but long read. I think Kickstarter should make it required reading for projects that get over funded like they did.

[G+_Steve C]

There's another little one that's kind of similar that's going for $199 on Indiegogo called the ONAGOfly. I wonder if they can ever produce that for the amount they have quoted? https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/onagofly-the-smart-nano-drone--2/#/

[G+_Jeff Brand]

Also Lily, https://www.lily.camera/

[G+_Steve C]

The Lily is definitely not real!  Looks like all their YouTube videos are fakes.

[G+_Jeff Brand]

Steve C, got any evidence to back that up? The video shows a real quad flying around, even if the footage "from" it is heavily processed/produced.

 

There are multiple demo videos with lower production qualities, if that's what it takes to convince you.

 

I won't say that it meets all expectations set by the initial PR video (I don't know..) but it's not a hoax.

[G+_Steve C]

Just look at the thing, it's too heavy and unwieldy to fly! Their videos are obviously studio produced fakes for marketing using CGI.

[G+_Jeff Brand]

I'm not going to ask your thoughts on the Apollo moon landings...

[G+_Steve C]

I'm not sure what to believe about the moon landings but if you haven't already noticed that most of the videos on YouTube are fakes don't worry, I didn't catch on right away either.

If you don't believe it just search for ones showing perpetual motion machines running and cars that run on water.  I must have watched a hundred videos showing how to program, configure and calibrate flight controllers and not a single one of them had any problems like the USB not connecting, the software crashing or getting a lot of errors, nothing like you get when trying to do it at home where it never works the same way.  All of them were fakes!  There are a bunch of videos showing the Hobby King Quanum Venture flying beautifully but since it's too heavy and under powered to get off the ground none of those videos are possible without CGI. There are also a lot of slickly produced ones showing the Pixhawk flying great too but that's not possible since it can't be programmed or configured with any of the crappy shareware that's out there so it has to be done with CGI  which is easy to do at home for anyone with a decent PC or Mac. Did you know the guy who produced the movie District 9 was able to make all the special effects at home on his Mac and none of the aliens or space ships in the movie were actually real?

[G+_Jeff Brand]

For your statement about the Lily to be true, multiple journalists would have to be in on the hoax. Editing out unsuccessful flights isn't the same as being fake.

 

I was going to cite this video to challenge your statement about the Quanum, but it looks like you've already trolled that comment area.

 

The perpetual motion devices all have some clever trick behind them. Interestingly enough, there are videos on YouTube about that...

 

Not everything that you think is too good to be true is CGI. Your participation in this thread isn't really useful. I'd appreciate if you'd refrain from unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.

[G+_Steve Martin]

Jeff Brand I don't believe you can argue with a tin hat.They see hoaxes and conspiracies in their corn flakes. Best not to feed them.