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Parrot, we love you, but is this really the message you want to send?

Posted by Chris Anderson on August 12, 2010 at 2:00pm

I get the whole cheeky viral video thing, but this one from the Parrot AR.Drone team just seems obnoxious and irresponsible. Or am I just being over-sensitive?

Speaking of the AR.Drone, my production version just arrived. I'll add unboxing pictures in a few...[Update: here]


UPDATE: There's a second one, even worse. Now they're tormenting animals:


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Comments

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson August 13, 2010 at 11:56am
    @Mr Drone. Actually, we were more worried about the "illegal" part. Not the animals, the dive-bombing of people. Not so much concerned about AR.Drone's marketing as the banning of our entire hobby. Serious stuff.
  • Mr. Drone August 13, 2010 at 11:52am
    Side note: The one bull clearly has a number etched into the side of it... Let's complain about that maybe?
  • Mr. Drone August 13, 2010 at 11:44am
    Animals? Animal cruelty? You guys are aware that these bulls are usually teased by humans, right? I think they are fun videos. Kudos to Parrot for being edgy and hip. You all sound a little bit like old women complaining about their husbands. Immature? No kidding, it's a toy. Get real people.
  • L-P Lorentzen August 13, 2010 at 9:07am
    Everybody knows that its just the finest of people that likes to torment animals!
  • lee nagle August 13, 2010 at 9:00am
    assault on animals your kidding right??
  • Developer
    Sandro Benigno August 13, 2010 at 1:57am
    As adman I just need to say some words. Friends, creativity without intelligence is the same as a monkey driving a battle tank... a enormous potential without any objective. Who's the target of this campaign? Abhor this kind of approach. If there is any.
  • Moderator
    Gary Mortimer August 13, 2010 at 12:12am
    It does not fall outside of the Regs in the UK Ron, in fact it hits them square in the face, they might even cause issues for traditional RC modellers who will be tarred with the same brush if there are any big offs. That said its an expensive toy that won't work well in any wind. The first video is in breach of the air navigation order, in that they are flying close to people without their permission.
  • Moderator
    Gary Mortimer August 13, 2010 at 12:01am
    Well they have shown one of the key reasons for regulation here, paparazzi style imaging. Luckily mechanical failure and many peeps flying them outdoors in too much wind and straight into things will make them a short lived fad, but might drive people towards proper platforms.
  • Ron Jacobs August 12, 2010 at 11:02pm
    Ok there is a disclaimer here...

    https://www.youtube.com/user/ARdrone#p/a

    it should be part of the video though...at least we get the impression some consideration for safety went into these videos and they are "entertainment" not suggested uses. Still, doesn't show the real potential of the Parrots.
  • Ron Jacobs August 12, 2010 at 10:57pm
    The problem is it is considered "a toy" means it falls outside most of the regulations re: RC vehicles. Now I think its a given these are setups so not too worried about harrassed golfers. The bull opens up all sorts of discussion on cruelty to animals. I bet the bull got some satisfaction out of destroying those Parrots. We will have to hope some "kids" with real RC helicopters or planes don't decide to copy this...that could lead to even worse PR for everyone. We've all seen the results of person vs RC helicopter rotor, it aint pretty. There should at very least be disclaimers on the videos. Don't try this at home.
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