A manufacturer of small surveillance drones for the military has unveiled a model for use by police and other public safety agencies.
Aerovironment Inc. of Monrovia, said Thursday its remotely controlled Qube air vehicle is small enough to fit in the trunk of a car and can be made ready for flight in less than five minutes.
The craft operates like a tiny helicopter with four propellers that allow it to take off and land vertically. It carries color video and thermal cameras that beam images back to the operator. A demonstration video shows how it could be used by police officers to observe a gunman hidden behind a building.
Aerovironment, which makes the Raven, Wasp and Puma battlefield surveillance systems, is inviting agencies to evaluate the Qube.
See more at https://www.avinc.com/uas/small_uas/qube
Or… just buy an AR Drone Quad Copter for about $350. Comes with 2 cameras and is controlled by an iPhone or iPad. Looks like a fun toy!