Half a Sphere == Panorama

Yes, it's true. The 360° panorama lens is half a sphere coated in reflective material suspended above the camera.

Well, in this case, half a sphere coated in reflective material with a hole at the top, suspended above the camera with a mirror on top of it. But it makes pictures like this (mounted on the plane):

Now it needs some processing before it's something you can look at without getting a headache. So after relearning some of high school's math (if you ever wondered why do you need to know something in Cartesian and Polar coordinate systems, this is why) this is the result:

Hm, needs some more work.

Moving Pictures

Some more fun with CHDK!

Time lapse of the stars from my window. Twenty second exposure per frame, 360 frames. That's how long the battery held on my Canon's A2200.

Puzzle Pieces

Wings are done, now to attach the detachable holder with the 360° panoramic lens.

Nip and Tuck

Modding the wings!

Since this plane is going to be "a bit" overweight with all the gear, a flap is being added next to the stock aileron for more control.

Lightning

Now that the cameras mostly work it's time to do something fun with them. And by fun I mean hunt for lightning:

The script used was Fudgey's motion detection script.

Fly Cam

What can be made from a hacked up Kogeto Dot fro the iPhone 4 and a dismantled hard case for Samsung Galaxy S II:

Well, a 360° panoramic lens for an Android phone of course:

And why would any one do that? Well, the title gives it away :P

The autopilot hardware has been upgraded from HTS's G1 and Legend on previous incarnations to Samsung's Galaxy S II. And more sensors, "more Megahertz", "more Mega pixels" is just asking for more interesting pictures then just a photo of what is under the plane.

This is way more interesting:

 

The Beginning of AVI@OR MK4

For those confused by the title, AVI@OR stand for: Aerial Vehicle Intended @(Academic Testing) Or Research.

And MK4 stands for: Mark 4. The fourth iteration of it.

Slightly larger then the previous Easystar model, but still made from resistant foam; it's the scaled model of a Cesna 182.

First plan was to go with a bigger sail plane but the camera equipment still has to be made and tested, so a roomier and more powerful plane was chosen.

And with a bigger plane, a more advanced RC unit. Five channels just doesn't cut it any more.

How will it all turn out? Who knows, that's why research is so fun!