Parrot AR.Drone 2.0

The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0, introduced by the French technology company Parrot in 2012, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of consumer‑grade unmanned aerial vehicles. Building on the success of the original AR.Drone released in 2010, the 2.0 version incorporated upgraded hardware and refined software that allowed pilots to control the quadcopter entirely from a smartphone or tablet via Wi‑Fi. Its key features include a 720p front‑facing camera with live‑stream capability, dual 720p rear cameras for stable navigation, a three‑axis gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer for precise attitude control, and an ultrasonic sensor for altitude hold. The drone’s design utilizes four brushless motors and protective propeller guards, enabling indoor and outdoor flight with reduced risk of damage. The AR.Drone 2.0’s open‑source SDK encouraged developers to create custom flight‑control apps, fostering a community that experimented with aerial photography, swarm behavior, and educational robotics. By democratizing UAV technology, the AR.Drone 2.0 helped usher in the modern era of hobbyist drones, influencing product design for subsequent commercial and consumer platforms and underscoring the growing importance of remote‑piloted aircraft in both entertainment and research contexts.