{"id":4839,"date":"2011-11-04T09:58:20","date_gmt":"2011-11-04T16:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=4839"},"modified":"2012-01-02T21:13:22","modified_gmt":"2012-01-03T04:13:22","slug":"what-has-16-motors-a-pilates-ball-and-flies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/what-has-16-motors-a-pilates-ball-and-flies\/","title":{"rendered":"What Has 16 Motors, a Pilates Ball, and Flies?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Your editor would rest easier at night knowing that the intrepid test pilot of this stalky creation were strapped onto a proper seat with a proper restraint system, but the current impromptu nature of keeping the operator out of the multiple twirling blades has worked \u2013 so far.<\/div>\n
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Test pilot Thomas has a buzzing in his ears on this early liftoff<\/p><\/div>\n

Despite its gangly, random appearance, the E-Volo <\/a>is not just tossed together.\u00a0 The 16 Hacker motors (editor\u2019s best guess – or they might be budget Asian copies), controllers, and large diameter propellers need to be modulated with great finesse to maintain level flight, and that suggests a sophisticated control system, as designed by Stephan Wolf underlying the design.\u00a0 It must work exceedingly well, since pilot Thomas Senkel reported that, “The flight characteristics are good natured. Without any steering input it would just hover there on the spot”.<\/p>\n

The 80 kilogram (176 pound) device can \u201cland safely\u201d with 12 motors running, indicating that it might be able to remain aloft with three motors defunct.<\/p>\n

Design studies <\/a>by Philipp Halisch show a far more \u201cfinished\u201d\u00a0 look and a portability that would allow the multicopter to be folded,\u00a0transported, and re-rigged for flight.\u00a0 These studies include enclosures for the 12-to-16 propellers and a more secure perch for the pilot.\u00a0 He sees the E-Volo as an aternative form of urban transport.<\/p>\n