Children

Is this the world's smallest RC helicopter toy?

Is this the world's smallest RC helicopter toy?
The Nano-Falcon easily sits in the palm of your hand
The Nano-Falcon easily sits in the palm of your hand
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Namco Bandai and CCP toys' Nano-Falcon contains a gyro sensor that helps it maintain stability while hovering
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Namco Bandai and CCP toys' Nano-Falcon contains a gyro sensor that helps it maintain stability while hovering
Namco Bandai and CCP toys say the Nano-Falcon is the world's smallest RC helicopter toy
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Namco Bandai and CCP toys say the Nano-Falcon is the world's smallest RC helicopter toy
Even marbles present a serious threat to the Nano-Falcon landing safely
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Even marbles present a serious threat to the Nano-Falcon landing safely
Measuring just 6.5 centimeters and weighing 11 grams, the Nano-Falcon is said to be the world's smallest RC helicopter toy
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Measuring just 6.5 centimeters and weighing 11 grams, the Nano-Falcon is said to be the world's smallest RC helicopter toy
The Nano-Falcon perches atop a lemon for scale
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The Nano-Falcon perches atop a lemon for scale
The remote uses four AA alkaline batteries, while the Nano-Falcon itself contains a Li-ion polymer battery
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The remote uses four AA alkaline batteries, while the Nano-Falcon itself contains a Li-ion polymer battery
The Nano-Falcon easily sits in the palm of your hand
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The Nano-Falcon easily sits in the palm of your hand
A standard computer mouse dwarfs the Nano-Falcon
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A standard computer mouse dwarfs the Nano-Falcon
The Nano-Falcon turns everyday objects into massive obstacles or landing pads
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The Nano-Falcon turns everyday objects into massive obstacles or landing pads
Broccoli becomes a tree next to the Nano-Falcon
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Broccoli becomes a tree next to the Nano-Falcon
Cherry tomatoes are like boulders next to the Nano-Falcon
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Cherry tomatoes are like boulders next to the Nano-Falcon
View gallery - 11 images

Namco Bandai subsidiary CCP toys has launched its Nano-Falcon remote-controlled helicopter toy, which it claims is the world's smallest. The Nano-Falcon, which is designed for indoor flight, has a body size of just 6.5 cm (2.5 in) long and weighs a scant 11 g (0.38 oz). The infrared controller, which takes four AA alkaline batteries, has a range of just 5 m (16 ft), which may be a good thing, lest you lose sight of it!

Despite its small size, the Nano-Falcon is no slouch when compared with other miniature RC helicopters. Employing a dual rotor "double inversion mechanism," it can hover, rise and fall, turn left and right, and fly back and forth just as you would expect. CCP has flexed its technological know-how by using the dual rotor to reduce the required diameter of the rotor, while implementing a gyro sensor to improve its stability.

You can expect about five minutes of flight time on a full charge before its rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery runs out of juice. To recharge it, you connect it to the controller with the charging plug (or with a USB cable sold separately) for about 30 minutes.

A standard computer mouse dwarfs the Nano-Falcon
A standard computer mouse dwarfs the Nano-Falcon

Of course, the RC toy market is overflowing with miniature helicopters, so it's difficult to say with any degree of certainty if it is indeed the world's smallest, but it certainly looks the part. Although there are plenty of other micro flying vehicles, like the militarized Black Hornet and Seiko Epson's FR-II, this one can be yours for 4,704 yen (US$49.70).

Source: CCP (Japanese) via Impress Game Watch (Japanese)

View gallery - 11 images
5 comments
5 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is really cool. I think it is the smallest one can get for that price.
KRC1023
I might just have to save up for this one...
Doug Doyle
It uses an ir controller. These are the worst type for any flying model.
Roma Khudoleyev
@Doug Doyle: For a big one, yes. But this one? I'd be happy with a bit more range, like 20m instead of 5m, but you aren't going to be flying this baby more than a room's length away from you.
cchmark
I do like this mini helicopter ! Where can I buy it . Is it easy to control ?