Nov 9 2010
Seattle-based LaserMotiv, and Germany-based Ascending Technologies announced that they have created a new flying time record with a laser-powered quadrocopter, which is a small helicopter. The quadrocopter, known as the AscTec Pelican, stayed afloat for 12 hours and 27 minutes.
A Quadrocopter powered by beamed lasers
The 1 kg helicopter was powered using special photovoltaic cells and a laser beam. The quadrocopter offers the law enforcement officials ability to monitor crowds using low-flying cameras for over 12 hours.
The principle used to power the quadrocopter with the photovoltaic cells and laser is called power beaming. The companies used a directed laser beam and combined it with a high-speed tracking device. The tracking system powers objects, such as a quadrocopter, over long distances of several kilometers. The helicopter was equipped with a battery pack, enabling it to fly by its own for a maximum of five minutes.