Development of Israel-based Steadicopter's autostabilised robotic helicopter has been set back by a month after the prototype was stolen in early November, although the programme had already slipped several months behind schedule (Flight International, 31 December- 6 January). Steadicopter's system enables a novice user to control a helicopter platform of any size from a PC, and is initially targeted at observation platform applications of 5-25kg (11-55lb).
Stabilisation difficulties had held back development of a fully autonomous helicopter, but Steadicopter says it has overcome this and developed an autostabilisation system applicable to any platform size.
Steadicopter says the prototype had been tested success- fully, and had entered the final stages of system development.
Source: Flight International