I want. Hexikopter

[FelixDeCat]

That thing is crazy.

 

[Key West]

guess whats the first result for "Hexikopter" search on google is?

Roflcopter?

 

[her209]

If one of the rotors breaks can the "kopter" still stay in flight?

 

[LordMorpheus]

No, he's correct. I've seen the quadrotors before, but the hexagonal arrangement seems to be much more aesthetically pleasing. They also have an oktokopter, and again, the hexikopter looks cleaner.

I personally think the ideal thing is to make a small scale looking deck with a clear window & stick some hamsters inside. Equip it with a small loud speaker. "Earth creatures, we have arrived from..." Ehhh, maybe the hamsters would be too much of a giveaway. But, I guarantee you that if I had one, UFO sightings in my area would skyrocket.

I'm not saying the hexikopter isn't awesome, because it is, but there is very little difference in control and zero difference in (a general six-rotor platform) capability between it and a quadrotor.

A hexikopter could (in theory, with the right programming) survive an engine failure without losing total control (shut down the opposite engine also and then it'd be similar to a quadrotor, though I don't know if the orientation of the props (clockwise / counterclockwise spin) would be the same), though, while a quadrotor would need some really fancypants programming to avoid crashing if it lost an engine, and it would lose the ability to perform some actions.

 

[DrPizza]

I'm not saying the hexikopter isn't awesome, because it is, but there is very little difference in control and zero difference in (a general six-rotor platform) capability between it and a quadrotor.

A hexikopter could (in theory, with the right programming) survive an engine failure without losing total control (shut down the opposite engine also and then it'd be similar to a quadrotor, though I don't know if the orientation of the props (clockwise / counterclockwise spin) would be the same), though, while a quadrotor would need some really fancypants programming to avoid crashing if it lost an engine, and it would lose the ability to perform some actions.

I didn't watch any for the Hexikopter, but for the Oktokopter, they have test flights where they knocked out 1 to 4 of the engines & it stayed in flight just fine. Excellent programming.

 

[lxskllr]

Where's funboy? That looks right up his alley :^)

 

[LordMorpheus]

I didn't watch any for the Hexikopter, but for the Oktokopter, they have test flights where they knocked out 1 to 4 of the engines & it stayed in flight just fine. Excellent programming.

It actually should almost be a function of the hardware and require very little software to take an engine loss in stride on a hexi or octi or whatever-i copter.

How would you build a large scale version, do you think? use large electric motors with maybe a turbine powered generator driving them, multiple fuel drinking engines, or one engine driving all rotors, but with the collective on each rotor being independent?

That last one seems like the easiest and most weight effective, but an engine failure will still mean autorotate or death.

Come to think of it I guess there isn't a huge point to a large quad+ copter. Seems they're destined for more small UAV work.

 

[TheVrolok]

Awesome. I want one. If only I had disposable income.

 

[Red Squirrel]

That's awesome. I wish I had the time, money and knowledge to build stuff like that. You could go a step further and mount cameras and other sensors and go far with it depending on the signal. That would be wicked!

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

It actually should almost be a function of the hardware and require very little software to take an engine loss in stride on a hexi or octi or whatever-i copter.

How would you build a large scale version, do you think? use large electric motors with maybe a turbine powered generator driving them, multiple fuel drinking engines, or one engine driving all rotors, but with the collective on each rotor being independent?

That last one seems like the easiest and most weight effective, but an engine failure will still mean autorotate or death.

Come to think of it I guess there isn't a huge point to a large quad+ copter. Seems they're destined for more small UAV work.

It depends on the mechanics employed. I could see a four motor octo. One motor would drive opposite props. For sharp turns a slipping clutch mechanism could allow one side to be driven while the other isn't turning quite as fast. In the event of a motor failure, the two opposing props would automatically disengage, leaving a balanced thrust. Of course we then are depending on a mechanical device which is subject to failure.

The safest and simplest would be independent motors. In the event of failure, it would be simple to shut down the opposite rotor.

Now if I were designing such a system I'd have an attitude compensating circuit in place so that the two nearest rotors would take over the load of any failed motor.

And Pizza, don't tempt me. I don't have the time to build one of these things, but you can bet if I did it would be loaded with bright LEDS and be seen flying over Rochester

 

[DrPizza]

And Pizza, don't tempt me. I don't have the time to build one of these things, but you can bet if I did it would be loaded with bright LEDS and be seen flying over Rochester

LEDS, of course. Don't forget extra sound effects.

 

[MrMatt]

want

 

[KillerCharlie]

These have been around for a very long time... and older version had 4 blades.

 

[KDOG]

Absolutely badass. It would be horrible for stealth operations though - notice how loud it is?

 

[WHAMPOM]

No, he's correct. I've seen the quadrotors before, but the hexagonal arrangement seems to be much more aesthetically pleasing. They also have an oktokopter, and again, the hexikopter looks cleaner.

I personally think the ideal thing is to make a small scale looking deck with a clear window & stick some hamsters inside. Equip it with a small loud speaker. "Earth creatures, we have arrived from..." Ehhh, maybe the hamsters would be too much of a giveaway. But, I guarantee you that if I had one, UFO sightings in my area would skyrocket.

Dye them green and piercings.

 

[MarkXIX]

I want one of these bad. So much fun to be had with one of these.

 

[Rubycon]

Finally got to see this thanks to a youtube link.
Good quality motor/controller there. Its purpose is for naught since it flies. Speaking of that anyone have a flyswatter handy?

You know Google is going to buy a herd of these things and put them to use to make their street view complete. It's only a matter of time.

 

[IronWing]

Anyone find a price on these or the four rotor versions that can carry a camera? A fully assembled one, not a kit, for those who are too shiftless/lazy/uncoordinated to build their own?

 

[bob4432]

Anyone find a price on these or the four rotor versions that can carry a camera? A fully assembled one, not a kit, for those who are too shiftless/lazy/uncoordinated to build their own?

damn, the small 4 rotor kit is $940 USD....flight control alone is $285USD

 

[bob4432]

Absolutely badass. It would be horrible for stealth operations though - notice how loud it is?

small ccd camera w/ zoom lense @ 100' high and you probably can't hear it...