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Revision as of 21:13, 26 May 2008
The Flytech Dragonfly is WowWee's entry into remote-controlled flying toys. The Dragonfly is also billed as the world's first commercially available RC ornithopter or micromechanical flying insect (flies by flapping its wings). 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
The precursor to the Dragonfly was invented by Sean Frawley and Dan Getz while they were still teenagers.[1] 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
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
- 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.
- Also in 2007, WowWee released a remote-controlled "Rex" from the ITV sci-fi drama series Primeval.
References
- ^ Winerman, Lea (2002). Teen Biz Flies High, Science World, Sep 27, 2002
- ^ Marriott, Michael (2007). If Leonardo Had Made Toys, The New York Times, Feb 2, 2007
- ^ Block, Jeff (2004). Interview With Sean Frawley, Creator of the FlyTech Dragonfly RoboCommunity.com, Apr 20, 2004
External links
- Official Dragonfly Site
- Ornithopter Technologies - Sean Frawley's original company
- FlyTech Dragonfly Home on RoboCommunity - The official WowWee Robotics user community
- Unofficial WowWee Hacks and Mods site
- UK info site about the Flytech Remote Control Dragonfly
- Video of Dragonfly flying filmed at half-speed - In reality it is a TWICE speed filmed ! so the playing appears half speed.
- Fan-site, photo gallery, forums and review with pictures of Dragonfly
- FCC filing: WowWee's FlyTech Dragonfly
- FCC filing: WowWee's Dragonfly controller
- Flytech Dragonfly Information page (plus YouTube video) its a big fly
- Gizmodo article from January 6, 2007
- Flytech Dragonfly Inventor Sean Frawley - a discussion of remarkable materials, painstaking development and that spark of inspiration.
- Review of the FlyTech Dragonfly by Craig Johnson of The LED Museum