The story behind how I found the world’s smallest drone was quite funny. I was actually in the local flea market the other day looking for a case for my new BlackBerry PRIV smart phone– yep, although I am an avid lover of the Apple iPhone I still have a soft spot for the Canadian smart business phone – I heard the familiar “whirring” sound of a remote controlled helicopter toy being demonstrated to a bunch of RC hobby toy enthusiasts at the toy booth. Obviously being a fan of all toys and gadgets I decided to have a look see at what latest radio controlled helicopter or drone was being put on show.
I get about 20 feet from my destination and I see the crowed looking in the air, I hear the whirring sound of the motors, but I see nothing. So what the heck were they all looking at? Seconds later I get there and I finally see this little thing the size of a 25 cent piece (more commonly known as the good ole American quarter) with flashing LED lights and four mini propellers keeping it floating ever so graciously in the air – it was the smallest radio controlled drone that I had ever seen. Seconds later my hands go into my pocket going for the thirty dollars that my wife gave me to go and get some groceries – yep, I was supposed to run a grocery errand but I ended up at the flea market looking for a phone case, I am sure many of you husbands and boyfriends out there know what I am talking about!
The world’s smallest drone measures in at 2.2 centimeters by 2.2 centimeters and has a micro charging port attached to it that connects to a small USB charging cable (that comes with the micro drone) which can plug into your PC or laptop for charging. It takes about 9 minutes to fully charge it and you can get a decent 8 minutes or so of flying time.
The little drone is designed to take its fair share of knocks and bruises as I have crash landed it many times while learning to fly this little thing in my living room. The controller also acts as a storage device for your little flying wonder when it is not being used as well.
The D1 Drone also comes in either “lime green” or basic blue.
The controller runs off of two (2) AAA batteries. I also strongly recommend that you fly this thing indoors because a small whisper of wind (if flown outside) would make flying this thing virtually impossible. The world’s smallest drone is for kids (and adults) who are 14 years or older.
These drones make excellent birthday or Christmas presents at the next staff gift exchange or for gadget geeks like myself!
Checkout my video on this toy below.
How cheap can I build a drone?