Tiny solar-powered flyer weighs less than a paper plane [video] (youtube.com) 9 points by lab14 1y ago ↗ HN
[–] tomcam 1y ago ↗ For once the video shows a real prototype. At the moment it can't be steered but the whole thing works by virtue of rotors made out of solar cells and extreme light weight. Worth a watch. [–] floxy 1y ago ↗ I don't think the rotor is made from solar cells. See the solar cells get covered up at 158 seconds:https://youtu.be/bf7RjMUXomE?si=PZsAkrJeQ4ichWaw&t=158...but the electrostatic motor is pretty cool, and is key to the ultra light weight. [–] tomcam 1y ago ↗ I misunderstood the article. Thanks for the correction.
[–] floxy 1y ago ↗ I don't think the rotor is made from solar cells. See the solar cells get covered up at 158 seconds:https://youtu.be/bf7RjMUXomE?si=PZsAkrJeQ4ichWaw&t=158...but the electrostatic motor is pretty cool, and is key to the ultra light weight. [–] tomcam 1y ago ↗ I misunderstood the article. Thanks for the correction.
4 comments
[ 4.7 ms ] story [ 24.5 ms ] threadhttps://youtu.be/bf7RjMUXomE?si=PZsAkrJeQ4ichWaw&t=158
...but the electrostatic motor is pretty cool, and is key to the ultra light weight.