Comment by Duran - SteadiDrone on November 26, 2012 at 11:51pm

Hey there, interesting H6x you have there, may I just ask, what's the point of this? Simply a nice looking prototype drone or is it for actual use ?

Comment by Hex Air Robot on November 27, 2012 at 12:17am

Of course it has actual uses.

the first purpose of HeX is to give user a rotors-adaptable drone: users can make it a quadrocopter or a hexacopter by simply taking off or putting on 2 dynamic units  

the second purpose of HeX is to give user an air self-filming assistant: with an on-board computer processing a tracking algorithm and a target-capturing camera, HeX will be able to track and follow a target such as a skateboarder so that the users can mount a camera like GoPro on it to film themselves without the help from others. 

Those are the basic motivation why we want to build HeX at the first place.

All these  won't be possible if we cannot make sure the modular and hexagonal design works.

that's the purpose of the prototype.

thank you for your concerning.  

Comment by Duran - SteadiDrone on November 27, 2012 at 1:27am

The design looks great, but not very practicle and pricey (??) What's the advantage of the actual airframe compared to a tube design ?

 

Comment by Tim - Arduino for Visual Studio on November 27, 2012 at 6:07am

Great design!!!

Comment by Andrew Bremer on November 27, 2012 at 7:26am

I was considering doing something along these lines, with a modular Hexacopter using an almost identical bodyframe (had never seen your work before this though) but looks like you beat me to it :P looks nice though, how much lift can you get from it with those motors and props?

Comment by Alexsey Novik on November 27, 2012 at 9:49am

it looks very heavy

Comment by Todd Hill on November 27, 2012 at 9:58am

Nice prototype George,  this is how innovation is made.  Looking forward to seeing how you incorporate the modular aspect of your design.  What is your price point though? Keep us posted.

Comment by ramboky on November 27, 2012 at 3:11pm

^^ What he said :) I'm also curious about the how the modular design works. 

Comment by Hex Air Robot on November 28, 2012 at 1:22am

Thank you all for your comments. Always feel happy to know we're doing something people like.

to Duran,

You're right. It's a little bit pricey as a DIY stuff. But we hope to reduce its price greatly if it can by produced in volume. Now we're talking to some consultant companies to help us on that. So far as we know, the price might drop to 160 USD with 100 sets of the body frame. 

And it's true we've got a small problem that HeX spins a little by itself when it hovers at a very low altitude. It must be caused by the bouncing-back air streams that push the body frame. And we think because of the enlarged surface of the body frame its resistance to side winds will be reduced. But since we haven't got a chance to bring it out to an open area to have a true test, so any results coming in I will update here. 

to Tim, Todd and Ramboky,

Thanks very mush. the positive comments always act as a big motivation letting us know we might be on the right track. 

As to the modular design, we hope in future when it can be sophisticated enough to produce in volume, users don't need to be a pro or veteran to assemble their drone. All they need to do is to clutch those dynamic units onto the centerpiece.

But there is still much work to be done to get there. Money is the biggest problem we have right now. So we're planning to lay down a pledge on Kickstarter to raise fund and help us to get there. HeX at this stage is still facing those drone-making enthusiasts who have the willingness, knowledge and abilities to assemble a HeX for themselves. 

As to the price, we estimate that it could be 800$ to 1000$ with the cool body frame and 150$ or 200$ less without the body frame it depends on whether we can successfully raise some fund and use that fund to have a manufacturer produce the body frame for us. 

to Andrew,

:P, great minds think alike. If we can raise that fund on Kickstarter, we will be needing the help fromtalented and enthusiastic people in this field. I don't know if you're interested. 

to Alexsey,

You're right. It turns out heavier than we expected. We do need to find another way to have the body frame produced. We need the body frame to be  strong and light. 

 

Comment by Andrew Bremer on November 28, 2012 at 1:44am

I definitely would be interested in helping if the help is appreciated (I'm all the way in England atm but I'm sure I could help out somehow). Another thought you may or may not have had for cheap parts for the casing is vaccuum forming, but I'm not sure how fussed you are on accuracy - but it would definitely produce these kinds of body shapes at a much cheaper price?

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