Controlling the AR Drone with Surface

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Winwise has created an entertaining control mechanism for the Parrot AR Drone using Microsoft Surface. The drone is usually controlled using a mobile device. It has an SDK that allows the controls to be adapted to whatever you might dream up. In this case, Surface MVP Nicolas Calvi dreamed big with Surface 1.0 in creating the sensation of a cockpit on the large screen and improved stability. Imagine what it will be like on the new Microsoft Surface!

“We wanted to build an application which enables the possibility of flying the Parrot AR DRONE from Microsoft Surface. In order to do that, we downloaded the Parrot SDK, tuned the drone Win32 API, developed a.NET managed layer for it and realized the application in WPF. To bring the feeling of flying the drone from a cockpit, we decided to let a graphist and interactive designer create and realize the interface. Winwise is known for its expertise on Microsoft Technologies. We dedicate time from our consultants on internal and R&D projects in order to emphasize our company spirit.”

[Video: Flying AR DRONE with Microsoft Surface - Winwise]

Other than the larger viewscreen and more control space, why control the drone with Surface? Couldn’t I scare my office-mates just as well with mobile device? If your goal is to control a single drone from close proximity, a mobile device may be better. If your goal is to control groups of robots and have the ability to seize control of an individual drone, then this method opens up amazing possibilities from a distant command and control center. Take, for example, Mark Micire’s project at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Robotics Lab..

[Video: Multi-Robot Command and Control]

Nicolas and Mark aren’t the only ones working on robot/drone control using Microsoft Surface. Surface MVP Bart Roozendaal has submitted a session for MIX11 on this very topic. “How NUI can help you perform complex tasks, like flying a helicopter.” View the session brief and vote for it if you want to see more at MIX in April.

- Eric (follow Surface on Twitter and Facebook)

P.S. See yesterday's post on Amnesia Razorfish's mobile mashup.