The Dragonfly is a failed crowdfunding project that was to build a miniaturized four-winged ornithopterUAV designed by TechJect. The Dragonfly supposedly was designed for: aerial photography, interactive gaming, autonomous patrolling for security and surveillance, etc.[1] The project claimed that the UAV was going to manufactured by TechJect, but all development was canceled after crowdfunding IndieGoGo refused to release money.[2]
The unit was envisioned as a miniaturized four-winged ornithopter which uses a flight model based on that of a dragonfly.[3] It was the first palm sized miniaturized ornithopter to be prototyped to exhibit powerful actuation at small sizes, though other larger versions have been developed. (e.g., the DelFly[4][5]), the Dragonfly was the first to make use of multiple models, each customizable with multiple options, such as wifi connectivity.[6][7]
The Dragonfly UAV built off the research done at Georgia Institute of Technology's Intelligent Control Systems Laboratory. That research resulted in Patent 9,290,268,[8] filed in 2011 and granted in March 2016. The TectJect company, which spun off from the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, was to develop this technology into a reliable consumer product. After several major design changes and deviations from the original patent, no reliable solution was found.
Technical specifications
In their crowdfunding pitches TechJect made a number of dubious claims. The Dragonfly was to be equipped with one of three different electronics packages.[citation needed] These could include the Marc-Basic, Marc-2, and Marc-3.[citation needed] In addition, all models were planned to be built to have camera capability, including stereoscopic vision through dual cameras (available with the Marc-3).[citation needed] HD vision was planned to be optional.[citation needed] Power was planned to be provided from a single-cell Li-Po battery rated at 250mAh.[citation needed] The actuator system for the wings was going to be based on either magnetic solenoidal actuators (Alpha model - retired for now) or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for the Delta, Gamma, and Omega models.[citation needed] With a final goal weight of ~25g and a length of 6", the micro UAV was expected to hover for ~8–10 minutes, with a hybrid flight time (hovering and fixed-wing gliding) of ~25–30 minutes.[9] However, these specifications were announced at the beginning of the crowdfunding campaign and do not reflect any actual hardware.
Cameras and Sensors
TechJect told investors that The Dragonfly would have the ability to be equipped with up to twenty environmental sensors (including GPS and cameras), dependent on electronics package. At minimum, the unit was to be equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope as is required for controlled flight through inertial guidance. At most, the unit was envisioned to equip approximately 20 sensors, including 3-axis accelerometers, 3-axis gyroscopes, 3-axis magnetometers, an ambient light sensor, an ambient humidity sensor, and a differential/absolute pressure sensor.[10]
Production delays
On the third anniversary of the IndieGoGo campaign, TechJect released an update to backers stating that the company "in no position to complete the Dragonfly project in our current condition without a helping hand (partners, additional funding or community support)."[11] TechJect has claimed that the project's failure was the result of a delay in the release of funding by PayPal and IndieGoGo.[12] However, the design was much less mature than what was stated during the crowdfunding campaign, and significant time and money was spent finalizing the mechanical design and selecting appropriate materials. The team apologized to backers for what it termed "our dismal approach to the finish line".[13]
Crowdfund Insider has described the state of the project as "road kill" and "dead in the water".[11]TechCrunch espoused the view that TechJect's pitch "always seemed a bit far-fetched", and cited it as "the latest example of how consumers need to be more careful with crowdfunding".[12]Veckans Affärer described the Dragonfly as "too good to be true", and described it and Pirate3D's Buccaneer 3D printer as part of a trend of crowdfunding projects that had not delivered on their promises.[14]
^(PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
^ abAlois, J.D. "When a Crowdfunded Project Runs Out of Money", Crowdfund Insider, November 16, 2015.
^ abBurns, Matt. "Another $1 Million Crowdfunded Gadget Company Collapses", TechCrunch, November 7, 2015.
^Sadler, Denham. "Buzz kill: One of the first tech crowdfunding successes is in big trouble with no robot dragonfly", Startup Smart, November 9, 2015.
^"Prylen var för bra för att vara sann - crowdfundade bolaget kollapsar" (Swedish), Veckans Affärer, November 9, 2015.
External links
Official website
May 14, 2023
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The Dragonfly is a failed crowdfunding project that was to build a miniaturized four winged ornithopter UAV designed by TechJect The Dragonfly supposedly was designed for aerial photography interactive gaming autonomous patrolling for security and surveillance etc 1 The project claimed that the UAV was going to manufactured by TechJect but all development was canceled after crowdfunding IndieGoGo refused to release money 2 Contents 1 Design 1 1 Technical specifications 2 Cameras and Sensors 3 Production delays 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksDesign EditThe unit was envisioned as a miniaturized four winged ornithopter which uses a flight model based on that of a dragonfly 3 It was the first palm sized miniaturized ornithopter to be prototyped to exhibit powerful actuation at small sizes though other larger versions have been developed e g the DelFly 4 5 the Dragonfly was the first to make use of multiple models each customizable with multiple options such as wifi connectivity 6 7 The Dragonfly UAV built off the research done at Georgia Institute of Technology s Intelligent Control Systems Laboratory That research resulted in Patent 9 290 268 8 filed in 2011 and granted in March 2016 The TectJect company which spun off from the Georgia Tech Research Corporation was to develop this technology into a reliable consumer product After several major design changes and deviations from the original patent no reliable solution was found Technical specifications Edit In their crowdfunding pitches TechJect made a number of dubious claims The Dragonfly was to be equipped with one of three different electronics packages citation needed These could include the Marc Basic Marc 2 and Marc 3 citation needed In addition all models were planned to be built to have camera capability including stereoscopic vision through dual cameras available with the Marc 3 citation needed HD vision was planned to be optional citation needed Power was planned to be provided from a single cell Li Po battery rated at 250mAh citation needed The actuator system for the wings was going to be based on either magnetic solenoidal actuators Alpha model retired for now or a Continuously Variable Transmission CVT for the Delta Gamma and Omega models citation needed With a final goal weight of 25g and a length of 6 the micro UAV was expected to hover for 8 10 minutes with a hybrid flight time hovering and fixed wing gliding of 25 30 minutes 9 However these specifications were announced at the beginning of the crowdfunding campaign and do not reflect any actual hardware Cameras and Sensors EditTechJect told investors that The Dragonfly would have the ability to be equipped with up to twenty environmental sensors including GPS and cameras dependent on electronics package At minimum the unit was to be equipped with a 3 axis accelerometer and a 3 axis gyroscope as is required for controlled flight through inertial guidance At most the unit was envisioned to equip approximately 20 sensors including 3 axis accelerometers 3 axis gyroscopes 3 axis magnetometers an ambient light sensor an ambient humidity sensor and a differential absolute pressure sensor 10 Production delays EditOn the third anniversary of the IndieGoGo campaign TechJect released an update to backers stating that the company in no position to complete the Dragonfly project in our current condition without a helping hand partners additional funding or community support 11 TechJect has claimed that the project s failure was the result of a delay in the release of funding by PayPal and IndieGoGo 12 However the design was much less mature than what was stated during the crowdfunding campaign and significant time and money was spent finalizing the mechanical design and selecting appropriate materials The team apologized to backers for what it termed our dismal approach to the finish line 13 Crowdfund Insider has described the state of the project as road kill and dead in the water 11 TechCrunch espoused the view that TechJect s pitch always seemed a bit far fetched and cited it as the latest example of how consumers need to be more careful with crowdfunding 12 Veckans Affarer described the Dragonfly as too good to be true and described it and Pirate3D s Buccaneer 3D printer as part of a trend of crowdfunding projects that had not delivered on their promises 14 See also EditUnmanned aerial vehicleReferences Edit TechJect Inc Robot Dragonfly Micro Aerial Vehicle Another 1 Million Crowdfunded Gadget Company Collapses 8 November 2015 Delfly Ornithopter Delfly Article Gizmag Article CIA Dragonfly Drone Dragonfly Patent TechJect Dragonfly Indiegogo page Dragonfly Electronics Detail PDF Archived from the original PDF on 2013 11 26 Retrieved 2012 11 24 a b Alois J D When a Crowdfunded Project Runs Out of Money Crowdfund Insider November 16 2015 a b Burns Matt Another 1 Million Crowdfunded Gadget Company Collapses TechCrunch November 7 2015 Sadler Denham Buzz kill One of the first tech crowdfunding successes is in big trouble with no robot dragonfly Startup Smart November 9 2015 Prylen var for bra for att vara sann crowdfundade bolaget kollapsar Swedish Veckans Affarer November 9 2015 External links EditOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title TechJect Dragonfly UAV amp oldid 1144200017, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
