111–120 of 164 posts
This is absurd (and I can't believe its at the top of hacker news). The article insinuates this is human powered flight. Any realistic attempt at a solely human powered flying machine would utilize leg power, not arms which pale in comparison in terms of power output. Also seems a bit fishy a buzzing sound, much like that of an engine, starts the same time as the wing flapping. Interesting engineering feat but defini…
Disclosure: I fell for this. That said here is another red flag: The guys reaction at the end of the video is not one of triumph and excitement. Here are some videos of what real reactions look like: First time skydiving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v... Breaking a world record: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v... Winning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOcf6oEiRT0&f…
Watch a bird take off. Start with some pigeons, then some sea gulls. If you can, watch an albatross - on YouTube if nothing else. As you get larger, you get heavier; as you get heavier you need more lifting force (ie, bigger wings, moving faster). Recall that weight is a function of volume and increases with the cube of your dimensions, while lifting force is a function of surface area and only increases with the squ…
EDIT: The wing surface (that kite he mentions sacrificing) is from one of these ( http://ride.slingshotsports.com/2012-Fuel# ) which is intended for exactly this sort of thing--supporting a human in flight.
Note that in the design blog the motors are being run through a 25:1 planetary gear. The family of motors in question can put out in excess of 2kw ( http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__17986__Turnigy_Ro... or http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProdu... ). So, no, the power plant is quite capable.
Watch a bird take off. Start with some pigeons, then some sea gulls. If you can, watch an albatross - on YouTube if nothing else. As you get larger, you get heavier; as you get heavier you need more lifting force (ie, bigger wings, moving faster). Recall that weight is a function of volume and increases with the cube of your dimensions, while lifting force is a function of surface area and only increases with the squ…
This video is very fake.
This video is fake, that has been established beyond doubt. But CGI, even "prosumer" CGI like this, is really getting better. Even at this level, people are relying on "hints" that a CGI transition has taken place - camera looks away, is obscured, or the picture is blurry. Give it a couple of years and those distracting-from-transition tricks probably won't be necessary any more. Then what?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Just above the blue batteries you'll see two little walky-talkie looking things. Those are motor controllers (note the thick wires coming off of them). Those are mounted on a plate. The motors are farther up, under the plate.
OK.. great.. Now I have a new problem. Someone else mentioned this: watch how the leaves on the ground change at 1:50 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0tKFOcHyrI
I think our friend may have damaged the wing, patched it, and the cut there is them trying to edit out a fuckup launch attempt.
What is that trace we see on the grass?(1:00) Looks like they us some type of vehicle to pull the helmet-camera up
