Miniature helicopters are remotely controlled helicopters with a weight ranging from hundred grams to a few grams. Most in production are toys aimed at hobbyists and enthusiasts. In addition there are many companies making prototypes for military and security applications. Miniature helicopters are popular demonstrations for the latest technologies in miniaturization

Miniaturization

Miniaturization is the creation of ever-smaller scales for mechanical, optical, and electronic products and devices...

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Miniaturization

Techniques involve reduction of weight and complexity compared to normal sized RC helicopters:

• Use of densest power sources available, such as lithium polymer.
• Battery capacity only enough for a short flight, typically a few minutes.
• Miniature DC motors.
• Electronics made of SMD
  Surface-mount technology
  Surface mount technology is a method for constructing electronic circuits in which the components are mounted directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards . An electronic device so made is called a surface mount device...
  
   components and ASIC
  ASIC
  ASIC may refer to:* Application-specific integrated circuit, an integrated circuit developed for a particular use, as opposed to a customised general-purpose device.* ASIC programming language, a dialect of BASIC...
  
   chips.
• Light plastics or carbon fiber fixtures and structure.
• Infrared control instead of radio.
• Auto-stabilization with Stabilizer bar
• No servos; directional control only via variable power to the tail rotor.

See also

• Radio-controlled helicopter
  Radio-controlled helicopter
  Radio-controlled helicopters are model aircraft which are distinct from RC airplanes because of the differences in construction, aerodynamics, and flight training...
  
  
• E-Flite Blade CX and CX2
• Picoo Z
  Picoo Z
  The Picoo Z is a miniature remote-controlled 2-channel helicopter manufactured by Hong Kong-based Silverlit Toys...
  
   - current popular consumer model
• Pixelito - early proof-of-concept prototype
• Proxflyer
  Proxflyer
  Proxflyer refers to a family of micro R/C helicopter prototypes based on a dual coaxial counter-rotating rotor concept developed and patented by Norwegian Petter Muren. The concept differs from the swashplate designs in conventional helicopter flight controls and enables a helicopter to be...
  
   - prototype, basis for many production models
• Micro flying robot
  Micro flying robot
  The Micro Flying Robot is the world’s smallest and lightest robot helicopter prototype, which was developed by Seiko Epson and demonstrated at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo in Nov 2003...
  
  - one-off prototype, technology demonstration

External links

• MAVSTAR Project at UNSW - Coaxial helicopter within a 30 centimetres (11.8 in) sphere with various sensors