<nettime> Worldbs First Flying File-Sharing Drones in Action
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Thu Mar 22 00:39:35 PDT 2012
TorrentFreak
Worldbs First Flying File-Sharing Drones in Action
March 20, 2012
https://torrentfreak.com/worlds-first-flying-file-sharing-drones-in-action-120320/
A few days ago The Pirate Bay announced that in future parts of its site
could be hosted on GPS controlled drones. To many this may have sounded
like a joke, but in fact these pirate drones already exist. Project
bElectronic Countermeasuresb has built a swarm of five fully operational
drones which prove that an baerial Napsterb or an bairborne Pirate Bayb is
not as futuristic as it sounds.
In an ever-continuing effort to thwart censorship, The Pirate Bay
plans to turn flying drones into mobile hosting locations.
bEveryone knows WHAT TPB is. Now theybre going to have to think about
WHERE TPB is,b The Pirate Bay team told TorrentFreak last Sunday,
announcing their drone project.
Liam Young, co-founder of Tomorrowbs Thoughts Today, was amazed to read
the announcement, not so much because of the technology, because his group
has already built a swarm of file-sharing drones.
bI thought hold on, we are already doing that,b Young told TorrentFreak.
Their starting point for project bElectronic Countermeasuresb was to
create something akin to an baerial Napsterb or bairborne Pirate Bayb, but
it became much more than that.
bPart nomadic infrastructure and part robotic swarm, we have rebuilt and
programmed the drones to broadcast their own local Wi-Fi network as a form
of aerial Napster. They swarm into formation, broadcasting their pirate
network, and then disperse, escaping detection, only to reform elsewhere,b
says the group describing their creation.
File-Sharing Drone in Action (photo by Claus Langer)
picture of a sharing drone
In short the system allows the public to share data with the help of
flying drones. Much like the Pirate Box, but one that flies autonomously
over the city.
bThe public can upload files, photos and share data with one another as
the drones float above the significant public spaces of the city. The
swarm becomes a pirate broadcast network, a mobile infrastructure that
passers-by can interact with,b the creators explain.
One major difference compared to more traditional file-sharing hubs is
that it requires a hefty investment. Each of the drones costs 1500 euros
to build. Not a big surprise, considering the hardware thatbs needed to
keep these pirate hubs in the air.
bEach one is powered by 2x 2200mAh LiPo batteries. The lift is provided by
4x Roxxy Brushless Motors that run off a GPS flight control board. Also on
deck are altitude sensors and gyros that keep the flight stable. They all
talk to a master control system through XBee wireless modules,b Young told
TorrentFreak.
bThese all sit on a 10mm x 10mm aluminum frame and are wrapped in a vacuum
formed aerodynamic cowling. The network is broadcast using various
different hardware setups ranging from Linux gumstick modules, wireless
routers and USB sticks for file storage.b
For Young and his crew this is just the beginning. With proper financial
support they hope to build more drones and increase the range they can
cover.
bWe are planning on scaling up the system by increasing broadcast range
and building more drones for the flock. We are also building in other
systems like autonomous battery change bases. We are looking for funding
and backers to assist us in scaling up the system,b he told us.
Those who see the drones in action (video below) will notice that theybre
not just practical. The creative and artistic background of the group
shines through, with the choreography performed by the drones perhaps even
more stunning than the sharing component.
bWhen the audience interacts with the drones they glow with vibrant
colors, they break formation, they are called over and their flight
pattern becomes more dramatic and expressive,b the group explains.
Besides the artistic value, the drones can also have other use cases than
being a bpirate hub.b For example, they can serve as peer-to-peer
communications support for protesters and activists in regions where
Internet access is censored.
Either way, whether itbs Hollywood or a dictator, there will always be
groups that have a reason to shoot the machines down. But letbs be honest,
who would dare to destroy such a beautiful piece of art?
Worlds First File-Sharing Drone
-> http://vimeo.com/36267881
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