Las Vegas, CES 2012 — The French have done it again. Dolled up in their designer suits and dreamy accents, Parrot’s French Legion of PR Reps hit the show floors of CES with another amazing quadricopter that is controlled by an iOS device. Their newest product is called the Parrot AR. Drone 2.0, but it’s more than just a modest upgrade, it’s a beast of flying machine that flies smoother and captures breathtaking video better than any comparable product on the market.
Armed with a new 720p HD camera, the AR Drone 2.0 has been blessed with a number of upgrades that should delight users of any age. New features include a new pressure sensor for improved stability, ultrasound sensors to analyze altitude, a second camera to measure speed, motion control, new video recording features, light emitting diodes, new games, and better sharing features. Parrot has revamped the design of the flying toy to make it stronger but still light enough to zip along at velocities most toy RC helicopters can’t keep up with. They’ve also improved the controls so that the Parrot AR Drone understands you are located. Tilt your iPhone toward the right or left will move the Drone in the same direction.
Taking cues from Apple’s popular App Store, Parrot has also created an open development platform inorder to expand its library of available flying games and applications. The development kit is being provided to members of both the Apple and Android communities in a sustained effort to maintain the company’s position as the top flying toy on the planet. With a retail price of $299, the Parrot AR Drone is expected to hit stores during the second quarter of 2012.