iPad Controlled Parrot AR Drone Used to Inspect Cathedral Damage [Video]

An iPad controlled Parrot AR Drone is being used to inspect damage to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

The cathedral located in the city center of Christchurch, New Zealand has been hit by two earthquakes. The first in September 2010 and then again in February 2011. The Cathedral administrator, Monsignor Charles Drennan, said that engineers had indicated that it was unlikely the building could be saved. The two bell towers at the front of the building collapsed, bringing much of the front façade down with them, with large blocks of masonry destroying vehicles in front of the building. There was also major cracking evident around the Cathedral's main dome. [W]

Opus engineers have put a polystyrene reinforcing around the Parrot AR Drone and are using it to inspect the cathedral. The drone recently crept its way inside for a test flight. The whole area's too dangerous for engineers to get close.


"Even if we lost it in the building 'cause we're never quite sure with the wi-fi range or the battery life, but if it turned out to be a suicide mission it's a $500 one not a far more serious one," says Opus engineer Nicholas Dawe.

[via 9to5Mac]