We just came across the PowerUp 3.0 smartphone controlled paper airplane on Kickstarter. This thing is awesome. According to the campaign page, the PowerUp 3.0, “turns your self-made paper airplane into a smartphone-controlled flying machine.”1
The key component of the PowerUp 3.0 is the Smart Module (above). The Smart Module utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), allowing around 10 minutes of continuous flight, at a max range of around 180 feet. Setting up the PowerUp 3.0 is incredibly easy:
- Fold It: Simply fold a piece of copier paper into a paper airplane
- Attach It: Attach the Smart Module to your paper plane with the patented clips underneath the Smart Module.
- Connect It: Start the app to connect to the Smart Module with your iPhone.
- Fly It: Push throttle to full and launch the paper airplane high up into the sky. Tilt your smartphone to the left or to the right to steer your plane, increase or reduce throttle to go up or down.2
The application that controls the PowerUp 3.0 is just as easy to use. Currently, the app is only available on iOS, but the campaign hit first stretch goal (at $150K) and an Android app is now in the works. Speaking of the campaign, it has been wildly successful thus far. The funding goal, of $50,000, was met in 8 hours. 8 hours! As the time of writing, the campaign has raised a total of $378,332, from 6,869 backers, since Tuesday, Nov. 26. At the extremely reasonable pledge level of $30, you can receive a Smart Module, and for $40, you can receive a Smart Module, 5 sheets of PowerUp-certified paper templates and 1 quick-charging battery pack. All of the rewards have an estimated delivery date in May 2014.
Here is a quick video of the PowerUp 3.0 in action:
