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Rewrite to make it more straightforward. It is not an "entry". It's a toy.
 
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{{short description|US flying toy}}
The '''Flytech Dragonfly''' is [[WowWee]]'s entry into [[Radio control|remote-controlled]] flying toy industry. The Dragonfly has been incorrectly billed as the world's first commercially available RC [[ornithopter]] (flapping wing aircraft).{{fact|date=September 2017}} It was actually preceded by several other products, including Hobbytechnik's Skybird, Park Hawk, and Slow Hawk radio controlled ornithopters, and the Cybird radio-controlled ornithopter from Neuros.
The '''Flytech Dragonfly''' is a [[Radio control|remote-controlled]] flying toy manufactured by [[WowWee]]. The Dragonfly has been incorrectly billed as the world's first commercially available RC [[ornithopter]] (flapping wing aircraft).{{fact|date=September 2017}} It was actually preceded by several other products, including Hobbytechnik's Skybird, Park Hawk, and Slow Hawk radio controlled ornithopters, and the Cybird radio-controlled ornithopter from Neuros.


The Dragonfly is made from lightweight but strong materials and has a crash-resistant structure. It is [[rechargeable]] and has multiple modes for beginner and advanced users. The Dragonfly is not a robot like the majority of WowWee's current products, such as the [[Robosapien]] and the [[Roboreptile]]. Replacement wings are available for purchase.
The Dragonfly is made from lightweight but strong materials and has a crash-resistant structure. It is [[rechargeable]] and has multiple modes for beginner and advanced users. The Dragonfly is not a robot like the majority of WowWee's current products, such as the [[Robosapien]] and the [[Roboreptile]]. Replacement wings are available for purchase.
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== Hardware ==
== Hardware ==


The Dragonfly is made of lightweight materials that are strong and crash-resistant. Its gears and internal frame are made of [[Delrin]]. These parts, and its other internal electronics, are protected by a body molded from [[Polypropylene|Expanded Polypropylene]]. [[Carbon fiber]] rods give the Dragonfly's wings strength, while [[Mylar]] film give them lift and thrust.<ref>Block, Jeff (2004). ''[http://www.robocommunity.com/article/11198/Interview-with-Sean-Frawley--Creator-of-the-FlyTech-Dragonfly/ Interview With Sean Frawley, Creator of the FlyTech Dragonfly] RoboCommunity.com'', Apr 20, 2004</ref> At 25 grams, its very light nature makes it easily susceptible to gentle wind currents.
The Dragonfly is made of lightweight materials that are strong and crash-resistant. Its gears and internal frame are made of [[Delrin]]. These parts, and its other internal electronics, are protected by a body molded from [[Polypropylene|Expanded Polypropylene]]. [[Carbon fiber]] rods give the Dragonfly's wings strength, while [[Mylar]] film give them lift and thrust.<ref>Block, Jeff (2004). ''[http://www.robocommunity.com/article/11198/Interview-with-Sean-Frawley--Creator-of-the-FlyTech-Dragonfly/ Interview With Sean Frawley, Creator of the FlyTech Dragonfly] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502063223/http://www.robocommunity.com/article/11198/Interview-with-Sean-Frawley--Creator-of-the-FlyTech-Dragonfly/ |date=2007-05-02 }} RoboCommunity.com'', Apr 20, 2004</ref> At 25 grams, its very light nature makes it easily susceptible to gentle wind currents.


The Dragonfly operates for approximately 5 to 10 (rarely 15) minutes on a single charge of its [[lithium polymer battery]]. The Dragonfly recharges by plugging into its remote control unit, which itself requires 6 [[AA battery|AA batteries]]. Charging time is about 20 minutes.
The Dragonfly operates for approximately 5 to 10 (rarely 15) minutes on a single charge of its [[lithium polymer battery]]. The Dragonfly recharges by plugging into its remote control unit, which itself requires 6 [[AA battery|AA batteries]]. Charging time is about 20 minutes.
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==Other versions==
==Other versions==
*''FlyTech Dragonfly'' comes in multiple colors, blue and green are the most commercially available, while red/orange ones are less common.
*''FlyTech Dragonfly'' comes in multiple colors, blue and green are the most commercially available, while red/orange ones are less common.
*One version of the ''Dragonfly'' is designed to resemble Barry B. Benson from the 2007 [[DreamWorks]] animated film ''[[Bee Movie]]''.
*One version of the ''Dragonfly'' is designed to resemble Barry B. Benson from the 2007 [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks]] animated film ''[[Bee Movie]]''.
*Also in 2007, [[WowWee]] released a remote-controlled [[List of creatures in Primeval#Ceolosaurvus|"Rex"]] from the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[sci-fi]] [[drama]] series [[Primeval (TV series)|''Primeval'']].
*A [[Toys-R-Us]] exclusive variant called the Hornet had a more wasp-like body.
*A [[Toys-R-Us]] exclusive variant called the Hornet had a more wasp-like body.


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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Portal|Robotics}}
{{commonscat}}
*{{Official website|http://www.wowwee.com/en/products/toys/flight/flytech/dragonfly}}
*{{Official website|http://www.wowwee.com/en/products/toys/flight/flytech/dragonfly}}
*[http://www.ornithopter.org The Ornithopter Zone]
*[http://www.ornithopter.org The Ornithopter Zone]
*[http://www.ornitech.com/index.html Ornithopter Technologies] - Sean Frawley's original company
*[http://www.ornitech.com/index.html Ornithopter Technologies] – Sean Frawley's original company
*[http://www.robocommunity.com/category/17/FlyTech-Dragonfly FlyTech Dragonfly Home] on [http://www.robocommunity.com RoboCommunity] - The official WowWee Robotics user community
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070318004458/http://www.robocommunity.com/category/17/Flytech-Dragonfly FlyTech Dragonfly Home] on [http://www.robocommunity.com RoboCommunity] – The official WowWee Robotics user community
*[http://www.remotecontroldragonfly.co.uk/ UK info site about the Flytech Remote Control Dragonfly]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081121003633/http://www.remotecontroldragonfly.co.uk/ UK info site about the Flytech Remote Control Dragonfly]
*[http://www.robocommunity.com/article/10576/Video-of-the-Dragonfly-Filmed-at-Half-Speed/ Video of Dragonfly flying filmed at half-speed] - In reality it is a TWICE speed filmed ! so the playing appears half speed.
*[http://www.robocommunity.com/article/10576/Video-of-the-Dragonfly-Filmed-at-Half-Speed/ Video of Dragonfly flying filmed at half-speed]
*[http://www.mydragonfly.info/ Fan-site, photo gallery, forums and review with pictures of Dragonfly]
*[http://www.mydragonfly.info/ Fan-site, photo gallery, forums and review with pictures of Dragonfly]
* [http://www.robotsrule.com/html/flytech-dragonfly.php Flytech Dragonfly] Information page (plus YouTube video) its a big fly
* [http://www.robotsrule.com/html/flytech-dragonfly.php Flytech Dragonfly] Information page (plus YouTube video) it is a big fly
* [http://www.robocommunity.com/article/11198/Interview-with-Sean-Frawley--Creator-of-the-FlyTech-Dragonfly/ Flytech Dragonfly Inventor Sean Frawley] - a discussion of remarkable materials, painstaking development and that spark of inspiration.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070502063223/http://www.robocommunity.com/article/11198/Interview-with-Sean-Frawley--Creator-of-the-FlyTech-Dragonfly/ Flytech Dragonfly Inventor Sean Frawley] – a discussion of remarkable materials, painstaking development and that spark of inspiration.
* [http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/ninth/dragnfly.htm Review of the FlyTech Dragonfly by Craig Johnson of The LED Museum]
* [http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/ninth/dragnfly.htm Review of the FlyTech Dragonfly by Craig Johnson of The LED Museum]

{{WowWee Robots}}
{{WowWee Robots}}


[[Category:Radio-controlled aircraft]]
[[Category:Radio-controlled aircraft]]
[[Category:2000s toys]]
[[Category:2000s toys]]
[[Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles]]
[[Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States]]
[[Category:Entertainment robots]]
[[Category:Entertainment robots]]
[[Category:Robotic animals]]
[[Category:Robotic animals]]

Latest revision as of 22:13, 1 November 2021

The Flytech Dragonfly is a remote-controlled flying toy manufactured by WowWee. The Dragonfly has been incorrectly billed as the world's first commercially available RC ornithopter (flapping wing aircraft).[citation needed] It was actually preceded by several other products, including Hobbytechnik's Skybird, Park Hawk, and Slow Hawk radio controlled ornithopters, and the Cybird radio-controlled ornithopter from Neuros.

The Dragonfly is made from lightweight but strong materials and has a crash-resistant structure. It is rechargeable and has multiple modes for beginner and advanced users. The Dragonfly is not a robot like the majority of WowWee's current products, such as the Robosapien and the Roboreptile. Replacement wings are available for purchase.

History

[edit]

The Dragonfly was invented by Sean Frawley and Dan Getz who began experimenting with ornithopters while they were still teenagers.[1] The four-winged design of the Dragonfly was based on a previous rubber-band-powered ornithopter kit designed by Nathan Chronister and manufactured by The Ornithopter Zone. It also uses the same flapping wing design as the DelFly. The newly available micro-sized motors and batteries developed for cellular telephones made it possible to build an electric-powered, radio-controlled version. Mr. Frawley has since earned a degree in aerospace engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and now works for WowWee.[2] The Dragonfly was first introduced at the January 2007 CES show in Las Vegas, and was being sold in RadioShack stores in the United States in February 2007.

Hardware

[edit]

The Dragonfly is made of lightweight materials that are strong and crash-resistant. Its gears and internal frame are made of Delrin. These parts, and its other internal electronics, are protected by a body molded from Expanded Polypropylene. Carbon fiber rods give the Dragonfly's wings strength, while Mylar film give them lift and thrust.[3] At 25 grams, its very light nature makes it easily susceptible to gentle wind currents.

The Dragonfly operates for approximately 5 to 10 (rarely 15) minutes on a single charge of its lithium polymer battery. The Dragonfly recharges by plugging into its remote control unit, which itself requires 6 AA batteries. Charging time is about 20 minutes.

Other versions

[edit]
  • FlyTech Dragonfly comes in multiple colors, blue and green are the most commercially available, while red/orange ones are less common.
  • One version of the Dragonfly is designed to resemble Barry B. Benson from the 2007 DreamWorks animated film Bee Movie.
  • A Toys-R-Us exclusive variant called the Hornet had a more wasp-like body.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Winerman, Lea (2002). Teen Biz Flies High, Science World, Sep 27, 2002
  2. ^ Marriott, Michael (2007). If Leonardo Had Made Toys, The New York Times, Feb 2, 2007
  3. ^ Block, Jeff (2004). Interview With Sean Frawley, Creator of the FlyTech Dragonfly Archived 2007-05-02 at the Wayback Machine RoboCommunity.com, Apr 20, 2004

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
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