Parrot AR.Drone

The Parrot AR.Drone, introduced in 2010 by French company Parrot, was one of the first consumer quadcopters that could be piloted entirely from a smartphone or tablet. The project originated from Parrot’s earlier work on remote‑controlled aircraft and a 2009 prototype called the Bebop, but the AR.Drone’s breakthrough was its integrated Wi‑Fi link, which allowed real‑time video streaming and control without the need for a separate radio transmitter. Powered by four brushless electric motors, the drone could hover, perform flips, and execute programmed flight patterns using onboard sensors such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, and ultrasonic altimeter. Its Android and iOS applications offered augmented‑reality overlays, multiplayer modes, and a developer SDK that encouraged third‑party software and research in autonomous navigation. By lowering the barrier to entry for aerial robotics, the AR.Drone sparked widespread interest in hobbyist drone racing and contributed to the rapid growth of the civilian unmanned‑aircraft market. Aviation scholars cite it as a catalyst for the democratization of flight, influencing later models from Parrot and competitors, and laying groundwork for modern drone‑based inspection, cinematography, and educational platforms. Today, the AR.Drone remains a reference point for developers exploring indoor and outdoor autonomous flight challenges.