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Surveillance By Flying Saucer
A flying saucer surveillance drone has been created by a British start-up company. Aesir has a prototype called Embler" that uses the "Coandă effect" which supposedly provides better lift for the device.
Take a look at the well-controlled flying saucer drone in the video below.
(Aesir flying saucer drone video)
The Coandă effect was first demonstrated in aircraft by Henri Coandă in 1910. The effect can be described as the tendency of a jet of air (or more dense fluid) to stay attached to a close-by curved surface that is appropriately shaped
This flying saucer from Aesir looks a lot more cool than the ceiling fan hovering drone in Michael Crichton's 1985 movie Runaway.
(Top view of floater camera)
Update 30-Jul-09: Take a look at this picture of the drones from the recent Dark Angel series starring Jessica Alba. The drones were played an especially important role in one episode - they had been modified to assassinate. Throughout the series, Jessica (Max in-story) had to dodge the drones so as to not be detected.
(Surveillance drone from Dark Angel)
Thanks to Peter for pointing this out, and providing references. End update.
Via Danger Room.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 7/29/2009)
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