$49 (and up) Hex is an Arduino-compatible, Soon-to-be Open Source Nanocopter Kit

Do you remember Mecam, an upcoming $49 nanocopter with a camera? AFAIK, it’s not there yet, but a similar product with a similar price point is now “available” on Kickstarter. Hex nanocopters (quadcopter and hexacopter versions) are not voice-controlled, and do not come with a camera by default, but you can control them with iOS or Android mobile devices, and a camera can be fitted if needed. It comes as a kit, so you’ll have to assemble it yourself, and since it’s fully open source, you could even customize it to your taste.

Hex specifications:

• Propellers – Size: 56×8.5 mm, Fits shaft: 1.0 mm
• Motors – Diameter: 7.0 mm, Length: 20 mm, Shaft diameter: 1.0 mm, Over 50,000 rotations per minute (rpm)
• Flight Control System:
  • Flight control – Microwii Copter
  • Processor – Atmel ATMega32u4
  • Gyro and Accel – InvenSense MPU6050 (6-axis)
• Battery – 350mAh battery (Flight Time – 7 minutes)
• Connectivity
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • Optional WiFi Cam (640×480)
  • Optional 5.8Ghz video transmitter module
• FPV – Optional FPV glasses
• Extra Payload – Quadcopter: 12g, Hexacopter: 30g.

The app will let you control the nanocopter, record videos, capture photos, and share videos.

The application will eventually be open source, as well as all hardware, but they have not provided much details at this stage.

If you are interested in this project, you can pledge $49 for the nanocopter, $69 for the hexacopter, and $159 if you want the hexacopter with the Wi-Fi camera. The FPV glasses are available in the “Hex Spy Set” with a quadcopter for $469. Shipping is not included and ranges from $10 to $20, and delivery is expected for December 2013. Further details are also available on Hexairbot.com.

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