Photo Captions for On the Fly: Technology Takes Off:

{5998} On the Fly quadricopter checking out the Fleet view from the UAV arena

{6006} On the Fly quadricopter reading his location before takeoff

{6032} On the Fly quadricopters orient themselves to specific colorblocks

{6045} On the Fly quadricopters in the air and lined up for action

{6069} Visitors watching every move the On the Fly quadricopters make

{6074} On the Fly quadricopters “dance” following the patterns of the colorblocks on the floor

{6081} On the Fly quadricopters dip, sway and flip in time to the music

Photos courtesy of Jonathan O. Nagtalon, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

{pic6} Fleet Gallery Facilitator Andrea Bliven demonstrating how a visitor’s creation flies in the Wind Tube.

{9:33:08} Price Scholars Eugene Dela Cruz and Andrea “Drea” Melchor preparing the quadricopter for flight

{Drone3} Quadricopter hovering in the Fleet’s theatre lobby

{CS45} Exhibits Director Paul Siboroski demonstrating a quadricopter for Fleet 40th Big Bang Gala guests

Photos courtesy of Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

The AR.Drone2.0 is a one-of-a kind quadricopter developed by French company Parrot

{UBJR…} The AR.Drone2.0 being flown in the desert

{VPWSS7} The AR.Drone2.0 as seen from different angles

AR.Drone2.0 photos courtesy of Parrot

Quadcopter flight dynamics: yaw, pitch, roll

How it works: altitude, yaw, pitch & roll

Illustrations by Sonia Lopez

Press Releases and Photo Captions available for download:  http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room

High-Resolution Photographs of Exhibits & Giant Dome Theater Shows: http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room/images

Celebrate the Summer of YOU!

Soar With the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s New Exhibition:

ON THE FLY: TECHNOLOGY TAKES OFF 

Making Its World Premiere on Friday, August 2, 2013!

San Diego, CA—July 11, 2013—On the Fly: Technology Takes Off is a new exhibition making its debut at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on Friday, August 2, 2013. It will remain at the Fleet through the end of December 2013.

Whether through the air, on the ground or in the water, the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology holds enormous potential to make individuals safer, more secure and more productive. These systems allow police, fire and other first responders to locate missing children, help fight wildfires and respond to natural disasters. They assist the Coast Guard in rescue missions and help the Border Patrol keep our borders secure. They boost agricultural production and efficiency and allow us to better protect the environment. And they create high-quality, well-paying jobs across the country in a variety of fields.

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off will center on a demonstration presented throughout the day in the Fleet’s Main Gallery, using small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The demonstration provides an exciting visual display of choreographed UAVs. These UAVs use an electronic control system driven by computer software to guide their flight. The demonstration for On the Fly will be controlled by a laptop. The UAVs use symmetrically pitched blades, which can be adjusted as a group. Control of vehicle motion is achieved by altering the rotation rate of one or more rotor discs, thereby changing its torque load and thrust/lift characteristics. Very robust and stable, each is equipped with an embedded high-definition camera enabling video and photo recording and sharing. With their small size and agile maneuverability, these UAVs can be flown indoors in an intricate performance.

The UAV demonstrations will take place in the “UAV arena.” Measuring 14.4’ x 27’ x 12’, the arena will be enclosed with netting, to create something simple, beautiful and at first mysterious—but ultimately educational and fascinating. Staff will make an announcement, and a crowd will gather in anticipation. Trained experts will launch the UAVs and start the performance. Having done so, a buzzing fills the gallery. The UAVs will take to the arena, hovering, moving, reassembling and reshaping the space. Commencing a series of intricate maneuvers around each other and inside the arena, they will manipulate space as they move through it, creating a ballet of anthropomorphic mechanical forms.

This “pas de quatre” highlights the unique characteristics of the UAVs and how they fly, using magnetometers, pressure sensors, ultrasound sensors, gyroscopes rotors and motors. We hope to introduce the public to the practical applications and the potential for these vehicles in research. We will also have a take-home version available for sale in the North Star Science Store!

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off will include a number of ancillary exhibits that explore aerodynamics, including Wind Tubes and a state-of-the-art motorized Airplane Launcher, along with supplies and trained facilitators who will work with visitors to create their own flying objects with which to experiment. Digital media will feature up-to-date presentations of current events involving this developing technology and its uses.

Additional exhibit components will further examine related questions: Why four propellers? How does propeller shape affect flight? How does it know where to go? How do the sensors determine its path? How can unmanned aircraft be used?  The many existing uses for this developing technology range from agricultural applications, military uses, ease of filming for commercials and sports, search and rescue, wildlife management, hurricane tracking and mapping archeological ruins.

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off has been designed to utilize current knowledge on this new emerging technology, research its future potential and make that information about UAVs accessible and memorable to the general public. As advances have been made in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, their usage has expanded. Faster, lighter hardware and more sophisticated software have increased their ease of use and maneuverability. Quadrotor design has become a popular consumer hobby, and their appeal is widespread with local clubs, blogs, websites, competitions, off-the-shelf consumer products and even phone apps for controls.

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off makes its debut at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on Friday, August 2, 2013, and will remain through the end of December 2013. The exhibition should be available for pre-arranged media demonstrations after Monday, July 22, with an invitation-only VIP Media event scheduled for Thursday, August 1. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is located at 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101. Gallery admission, which includes access to all eight exhibit galleries: Adults $13, Seniors $12, Children $11. The Fleet’s summer hours are 10AM–6PM daily. For more information, call (619) 238-1233 or visit our website at www.rhfleet.org/site/exhibition/upcomingexhibits.html.

On the Fly: Technology Takes Off is Made Possible Through the Generosity of the Following Sponsors:

Leading

Charles Bergan and Lisa Kanetake

Beyster Family Foundation Fund IV

Anonymous

Qualcomm Incorporated

Partner

Brain Corporation

Matt and Dawn Grob

Supporting

General Atomics

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Celebrate the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s 40th Anniversary Year!

Forty years ago, a spark ignited our imaginations!  March 9, 2013, kicked off a year-long celebration of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and its 40 years of success in bringing hands-on science to our San Diego community. Forty years ago, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center opened its doors and brought interactive exhibits and the world’s first IMAX® Dome Theater to San Diego. Today, the Fleet inspires minds and connects individuals to science and technology through more than 100 “do touch” exhibits for all ages and amazing IMAX films and planetarium shows in the recently renovated Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. Enjoy our year-long celebration, featuring a blockbuster exhibition, incredible events and dynamic educational experiences.

About the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (“the Fleet”) is home to Southern California’s only Giant Dome Theater and 100+ hands-on science exhibits for all ages. Watch immersive giant-screen films in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater, featuring the world’s first NanoSeam™ Dome screen. The Fleet is the first Giant Dome Screen Theater in the country to share a digital planetarium with an IMAX® Dome theater, following the recent installation of a new, state-of-the-art, giant dome screen digital GSX™ system from Global Immersion, which augments the existing IMAX projector in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater with one of the most comprehensive and powerful full-dome experiences available today. Experience eight galleries of fun, interactive exhibits, including major traveling exhibitions. A hurricane simulator thrills visitors with gusts of wind up to 80 miles per hour. Enjoy sandwiches, salads and healthy treats in Galileo’s Café. Find unique educational toys and games, books, IMAX DVDs and more in the North Star Science Store. Located at 1875 El Prado, two blocks south of the San Diego Zoo on Park Blvd, the Fleet Science Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology. For information regarding current admission prices, please call (619) 238-1233 or visit our website at www.rhfleet.org.

About the UAVs in On the Fly: Technology Takes Off

The AR.Drone2.0 is a one-of-a kind quadricopter developed by French company Parrot. Parrot AR.Drone2.0 quadricopters can be controlled by Wi-Fi using a smartphone or a tablet. Very robust and stable, each quadricopter is equipped with an embedded high-definition camera enabling video and photo recording and sharing.

Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living. Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free systems on the market for cars, motorbikes and scooters, including wireless multimedia products geared towards audiovisual applications.

In 2008, Parrot launched a new prestige line of high-end products bearing the hallmark of renowned artists.

In 2010, Parrot launched a flying wifi Quadricopter with Augmented Reality video games, the Parrot AR.Drone.

Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs 450 people worldwide and generates 85% of its sales overseas. Parrot is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris since 2006.    Euronext Paris – Eurolist C: FR0004038263 – PARRO

www.Parrot.com/ or www.ardrone2.parrot.com

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Available for Download for Members of the Media: Press Releases and Photo Captions:  http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room

High-Resolution Photographs of all Exhibits and Giant Dome Theater Shows: http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room/images

B-roll of Giant Dome Theater Shows & production footage of exhibits and galleries on the Fleet Media DropBox: http://www.dropbox.com; Click on sign in; email  reubenfleet@gmail.com; password pr1973media; "RHF Public Relations" folder.

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