Tiny solar-powered flyer weighs less than a paper plane [video]youtube.com 9 pointslab142 years ago4 commentsSaveHideCopy link On HNComments−tomcam2yFor once the video shows a real prototype. At the moment it can't be steered but the whole thing works by virtue of rotors made out of solar cells and extreme light weight. Worth a watch.−floxy2yI don't think the rotor is made from solar cells. See the solar cells get covered up at 158 seconds:https://youtu.be/bf7RjMUXomE?si=PZsAkrJeQ4ichWaw&t=158...but the electrostatic motor is pretty cool, and is key to the ultra light weight.−tomcam2yI misunderstood the article. Thanks for the correction.−hkmaxpro2yRelated: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40989075
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For once the video shows a real prototype. At the moment it can't be steered but the whole thing works by virtue of rotors made out of solar cells and extreme light weight. Worth a watch.
I don't think the rotor is made from solar cells. See the solar cells get covered up at 158 seconds:
https://youtu.be/bf7RjMUXomE?si=PZsAkrJeQ4ichWaw&t=158
...but the electrostatic motor is pretty cool, and is key to the ultra light weight.
I misunderstood the article. Thanks for the correction.
Related: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40989075