Indianapolis Man Among the First to Flight with the Parrot AR.Drone
First quadricopter piloted by Wi-Fi arrives today at U.S. homes and select Brookstone retail locations
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Parrot AR.Drone, the first quadricopter controlled by an iPod touch®, iPhone® or iPad™, takes flight today in cities around the U.S. The first Parrot AR.Drones, shipped by exclusive retail partner Brookstone, arrived this week to aspiring pilots across the country.
One of the first customers to receive the product, Kevin Sigua of Indianapolis, is amazed by his AR.Drone from Brookstone. Sigua wanted an AR.Drone since viewing the product in action at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show and pre-ordered his very own at Brookstone.com weeks ago.
"From its technological ingenuity and the integration with the Apple iPhone/iTouch, it is amazing, but most importantly it has the sheer fun factor," Sigua said. "I hope to find other AR.Drone pilots in my area so we can fly together."
The AR.Drone, which retails for $299, is available exclusively in Brookstone stores, where consumers can experience the one-of-a-kind quadricopter in-person at select locations this weekend and at all stores by the end of September. Parrot, a leader in wireless peripherals for mobile phones, first introduced the AR.Drone concept at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.
Each AR.Drone includes:
- AR.Drone with internal hull
- 1 external hull
- 1 battery
- 1 battery charger and 4-pin mains adapter
- 1 set of stickers
- 1 quick start guide
The AR.Drone combines real and virtual worlds to offer an unparalleled flight experience. A front camera broadcasts and streams what the AR.Drone is seeing onto the iPod touch, iPhone or iPad screen and provides the opportunity for augmented reality games.
"The Parrot AR.Drone presales have been very strong and it's clear that consumers are enamored with this exciting tech gadget," said Brookstone Chief Marketing Officer Michael Dobbs. "We'll be flying AR.Drones in select stores starting today and are excited for all of the AR.Drone pilots around the country who will spend their Labor Day weekend enjoying the unique flight experience provided by the AR.Drone."
Fans of Brookstone on Facebook have been sharing their excitement over the AR.Drone with each other. Brookstone is even offering a special AR.Drone Sweepstakes, in which one lucky person will win a Parrot AR.Drone. The contest is already underway and runs through September 17, 2010 at 11:59:59 p.m. P.T.
About the Parrot® AR.Drone Quadricopter
The Parrot AR.Drone is extremely easy to fly in both indoor and outdoor settings. The AR.Drone generates its own Wi-Fi network at which you simply connect an iPod touch or iPhone. The AR.FreeFlight application is a free app in the App Store and allows for the AR.Drone to be piloted via the iPod touch/iPhone/iPad. Once in-flight, the accelerometer of the iPod touch/iPhone/iPad detects all of the movements and the AR.Drone will mirror all movements made by the iPod touch/iPhone/iPad while the pilot's left thumb is on the control button.
The AR.Drone uses MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanicals Systems), three axes accelerometer, two gyrometers [one axe & two axes], one ultrasound sensor and one vertical camera to automatically stabilize once it takes off. This allows for very stable flights for even beginner pilots.
The AR.Drone-Pilot Academy at www.ardrone.com provides multiple videos and instructions that prepare aspiring AR.Drone pilots for flight. It also connects AR.Drone fans from around the world. More information about the AR.Drone can be found at http://www.parrot.com/facebook or www.twitter.com/ardrone.
About Parrot
Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living. Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free systems on the market for cars, motorbikes and scooters, including wireless multimedia products geared towards audiovisual applications. In 2008, Parrot launched a new prestige line of high-end products bearing the hallmark of renowned artists. Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs 450 people worldwide and generates 85% of its sales overseas.
Euronext Paris – FR0004038263 – PARRO
About Brookstone
Brookstone, Inc., is an innovative product development company and specialty retailer of unique gifts. Brookstone operates 310 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. The Company also operates a Direct Marketing business that includes the Brookstone catalog and an e-commerce Web site at Brookstone.com. Fans of the Company are encouraged to Like Brookstone on Facebook.
iPhone and iPod touch are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
SOURCE Parrot
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