PARROT : AR.Drone project: a quadricopter using augmented reality and piloted by Wi-Fi

PR Newswire/Les Echos/

Press Release

                 Paris/CES Las Vegas, January 5th, 2010

         Parrot AR.Drone project, When video games become reality...

Parrot AR.Drone, the first quadricopter using augmented reality and piloted by
Wi-Fi.

Parrot, leader in wireless peripherals for mobile phones, is unveiling the first
quadricopter using augmented reality: Parrot AR.Drone.
With a very intuitive mobility and universal accessibility, Parrot AR.Drone is
piloted initially with an iPhone(TM) or iPod touch(r) and allows you to take a
spectacular flying journey. In addition to the pure pleasure of flying, this
unique quadricopter enables to recreate a large number of video games in the
real world.
Streaming video on the iPhone(TM) or iPod touch(r) screen enables you to pilot
the AR.Drone as if you were sitting in the pilot's seat; the image processing
allows to integrate real-time special effects of augmented reality...

"Parrot AR.Drone" project

The idea of the Parrot AR.Drone project is to create a performing quadricopter
with the best of today's technologies in order to enter universes that are not
yet explored, mixing video games and the real world. This is augmented
reality.

" Imagine... you are piloting a drone... thanks to video streaming on the screen
of your iPhone(TM), you are really seating in the pilot's seat... You are
peacefully flying in your garden... Suddenly, a monster crops up from the
ground, just in front of you... it is shooting at you... you need to escape from
it and to neutralise it... only your piloting skills will enable you to bail
yourself out... "

Parrot AR.Drone: create dreams

" At Parrot, we have been developing wireless concepts for video games for 4
years. Our first project was a Bluetooth race car. We've developed it, but I was
not satisfied. A video game should contain a part of dream that I missed with
the Bluetooth car," explains Henri Seydoux, founder and CEO of Parrot. "It
should fly! So I started with the idea of a quadricopter. With video cameras and
a powerful computer, we have developed a very stable drone that is easy to
control and flies like a dragon-fly."

Parrot AR.Drone is the outcome of a dream: to invent a high-tech drone for kids
and adults, in developing a new concept of video gaming using augmented reality.
It is initially designed for iPhone(TM) and iPod touch(r).

Parrot AR.Drone: a cutting-edge video quadricopter

Parrot AR.Drone is composed of a central cockpit which is surrounded by 4
propellers, each of them being driven by an engine. It offers amazing
possibilities for piloting, excellent maneuverability and extraordinary
stability.

The heart of AR.Drone contains all electronic components and two cameras:

· The first camera, under the structure, is connected to an Inertial
  Measurement Unit. Thanks to this unit, the AR.Drone is capable of measuring
  its speed and performing mind-blowing stationary flights. PSP (Parrot Smart
  Piloting) technology also compensates turbulences due to the wind during
  outside flights. These technologies are usually used for professional and
  military applications, but have been adapted to gaming universe for the
  first time.
The second camera, at the front of the quadricopter, broadcasts and streams on
the iPhone(TM) or iPod touch(r) screen, what the drone is seeing as if the
player was in the pilot's position. It plays a major role for video gaming,
thanks to the use of augmented reality.

Parrot AR.Drone: an intuitive piloting

The Parrot AR.Drone is generating its own Wi-Fi network at which you simply need
to connect an iPhone(TM) or iPod touch® to turn it into a true piloting
station.

An unseen mix of captors (wide angle camera and high speed camera, MBMS (Micro
Electro Mechanicals Systems), 3 axes accelerometer, 3 axes gyro, ultrasound
sensor) associated with a powerful computer make the piloting easy and
accessible even for the youngest or non technologically savvy.

Thanks to the accelerometer of the iPhone(TM) or iPod touch(r) that is detecting
user's movements, the AR.Drone is very easy to pilot by leaning the iPhone(TM)
forward to move forward or sidewise to corner or change direction.
On the touch pad of the iPhone(TM), command buttons also indicate some actions
such as rise, down, rotate, move back, move forward... Observing the AR.Drone
obey each movement of his hands is an extraordinary experience for the player.

Parrot AR.Drone: imagination has no limits

Parrot AR.Drone is designed for flying inside and outside.

For a flight inside, a hull surrounds the propellers and protects the
quadricopter if it hits an obstacle. For the outside, a shaped hull reduces the
area to the wind for a better maneuverability of the quadricopter.

Each flight with the AR.Drone will always be a new experience. Outside, the
player will have to take into account the changing elements of the real
environment, like the wind, the sunshine, the shading areas or any obstacles
that appear.

Parrot AR.Drone is also offering an unprecedented multi-player possibility.
Thanks to augmented reality, it is possible to recreate an aerial fight between
two quadricopters. The worlds of video gaming and radio controlled models
collaborate for the first time evolving simultaneously in both universes!

Parrot AR.Drone: an open development platform

Parrot intends to extend the possibilities of AR.Drone so the project is a
development platform opened to game developers.
A Software Development Kit (SDK) is today available for the developers who would
wish to create games for the AR.Drone by using the techniques of augmented
reality enabled by the frontal camera. Developers just need to register on
www.ardrone.org to download the SDK and contribute to the AR.Drone Open API
platform.
Development kits, including a prototype of the drone, available soon, will be
subject to acceptance of development projects by Parrot.
With AR.Drone, all kind of games can be created: shooting, adventure, races,
arcade...

Parrot AR.Drone: a technological first

For the first time, a consumer product encompasses:
· A quadricopter made in carbon fiber and high resistance PA66 plastic
· MBMS (Micro-Blectro-Mechanical Systems) and video processing to ensure a very
  intuitive piloting of a radio controlled object
· Wi-Fi and video streaming for a modern interface with an iPhone(TM) or iPod
  touch(r)
· Images processing software for augmented reality

Parrot has worked for 15 years on wireless technologies. Engineering is the
keystone of the work of Parrot and the R&D department of the company consists of
150 engineers.
Parrot concentrates on the maintenance of its investments in R&D to a high
level, with an important focus on the software and the signal processing. Parrot
develops complete products in taking care of their use; because of this,
software, electronics, design and also manufacturing costs are the daily work of
the research department.

Note:
· Parrot AR.Drone is today open to video games developers.
· The quadricopter should be available for consumer in 2010.
· A dedicated website will also enable owners of AR.Drone to be part of the
  AR.Drone community and to share their videos...

About Parrot
Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the
cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as
part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones
into everyday life by creating high-quality, userfriendly wireless devices for
easy living. Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free systems
on the market for cars, motorbikes and scooters, including wireless multimedia
products geared towards audiovisual applications. In 2008, Parrot launched a new
prestige line of high-end products bearing the hallmark of renowned artists.
Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs 450 people worldwide and
generates 85% of its sales overseas.

www.parrot.com          Euronext Paris - Eurolist C: FR0004038263 - PARROT

(r)The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and
any use of such marks by Parrot S.A. is under license. Other trademarks and
trade names are those of their respective owners.

(c) 2008 Apple Inc. iPod(r) and iTouch(r) are registered trademarks of Apple
Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPhone(TM) is a trademark of
Apple Inc. " Made for iPod "means that an electronic accessory has been designed
to connect specifically to iPod and has been certified by the developer to meet
Apple performance standards.

For more information, visit www.parrot.com or contact:

PARROT
Vanessa Loury /Fabien Laxague
[e-mail]
[e-mail] 
Tel. [phone] / 89 83 
Tel. [phone]
                      
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