A quadrotor, also called a quadrotor helicopter, quadrocopter or quadcopter, is a multicopter that is lifted and propelled by four rotors. Quadrotors are classified as rotorcraft, as opposed to fixed-wing aircraft, because their lift is generated by a set of revolving narrow-chord airfoils. Unlike most helicopters, quadrotors generally use symmetrically pitched blades; these can be adjusted as a group, a property known as 'collective', but not individually based upon the blade's position in the rotor disc, which is called 'cyclic' (see helicopter). Control of vehicle motion is achieved by altering the pitch and/or rotation rate of one or more rotor discs, thereby changing its torque load and thrust/lift characteristics.
This year’s TED conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design) recently took place in Long Beach, California, and as expect, the event was filled with a slew of amazing speakers, each with an idea definitely worth spreading. One presentation, however, particularly blew my mind, namely that of roboticist Vijay Kumar, who along with colleagues from University of Pennsylvania’s General Robotics, Automation, Sensing [...]
Amazing architecture goes hand in hand with amazing engineering, and a Swiss/Italian team is showing how the pair will be used in the future to revolutionize the buildings of tomorrow. The FRAC Centre in Orléans, France will host the first ever self-constructing exhibit – a simple, yet charming 6 meters tall tower comprised of 1,500 [...]
Fri, Mar 2, 2012
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