Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight • Hacker News Board

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#21

Post by tonymillion » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC

ricardobayes wrote: post #16

derwiki wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting, not what I remember from 2017. To which hardware startups are you referring?

Well that was the peak of the kickstarter era, tons of wearables and new projects. You know, like Pebble

Or the Nixie [1] (actually nixie was earlier, but went out of business in 2017)

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixie_Labs_Nixie

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#22

Post by rolph » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 6:02 PM UTC

zkmon wrote: post #13

I think this is in the category of excess application of technology

consider captain america, perhaps an autonomous flying riot shield that protects, and strikes out.

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#23

Post by nine_k » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 6:07 PM UTC

m463 wrote: post #14

zkmon wrote: post #13

I think this is in the category of excess application of technology

I don't know - I got an automatic garbage can that not only opens and closes, it also ejects the garbage bag when it is full and vacuums in another one into place. today's luxury is tomorrow's necessity. things get normalized. pop-up ads, selfies, subscriptions, the cybertruck...

> today's luxury is tomorrow's necessity

Indeed, see stuff like fridges, cars, phones, internet access...

> pop-up ads, selfies, subscriptions, the cybertruck...

None of these are a luxury, or ever was; in a way, they are the opposite.

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#24

Post by rg2004 » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 6:15 PM UTC

what about hydrogen or helium to extend battery life?

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#25

Post by projektfu » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 6:22 PM UTC

tamimio wrote: post #6

>what was supposedly a small project ended up big and complicated Welcome to the drone world! So many moving parts and one tiny mistake, you end up losing a $60k drone in the ocean (true story!) That being said, regulations prevent flying drones of any size above people, unless the drone is high to certain altitude, because of all the dangers that bring, a small issues and the props will harm them. Cool project tho!

Better than losing the expense vehicle prototype and the pilot as well.

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#26

Post by Animats » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 6:27 PM UTC

That's cute. They need to be able to deal with other flying umbrellas nearby, if this is to be a product, of course.

This would probably sell in Shenzhen.

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#27

Post by amelius » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 7:22 PM UTC

12_throw_away wrote: post #5

IMO it's worth watching the video rather than reading someone's writeup of it. My favorite part is this (written) list of everything that went wrong [1] ... and how much of it is due to the intersection of hardware, software, vendors, and linux [1] https://youtu.be/EYRrUiM_A6g?si=T60tAChuo-GNtfqW&t=921

> and how much of it is due to the intersection of hardware, software, vendors, and linux

They should have used Apple hardware.

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#28

Post by amelius » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 7:23 PM UTC

Next: why carry a phone or laptop when you can have a flying desk?

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#29

Post by mensetmanusman » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 7:25 PM UTC

nine_k wrote: post #23

m463 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know - I got an automatic garbage can that not only opens and closes, it also ejects the garbage bag when it is full and vacuums in another one into place. today's luxury is tomorrow's necessity. things get normalized. pop-up ads, selfies, subscriptions, the cybertruck...

> today's luxury is tomorrow's necessity Indeed, see stuff like fridges, cars, phones, internet access... > pop-up ads, selfies, subscriptions, the cybertruck... None of these are a luxury, or ever was; in a way, they are the opposite.

pop-up ads - existence depends on surplus technology, electricity, and global communications networks. - not required for food, shelter, water, or survival.

ergo luxury

Re: Autonomous flying umbrella follows and shields users from rain and sunlight

#30

Post by alphakappa » Sun, Jul 05, 2026, 7:37 PM UTC

tangent: ridiculous that a site called designbloom has such an atrocious user experience. popovers, things that take over your reading space, and just general shiftiness all over the page that's unrelated to the content you are reading.