Our Japanese isn’t that fluent, but we gather that the machine has been developed by technology research section of Japanese Self Defence Forces and that its Maximum Speed is about 40mph.
It took a year and a half to develop, and it can be used for indoor/outdoor search and rescue or espionage missions and is being tested with an onboard camera. Balance and directional movement is controlled by 8 fans, and the developers are currently working on including an autopilot.
Apparently all of the parts combined cost about 110,000 yen ($1,100) and were sourced in the Akihabara district of Tokyo. Akihabara (“Field of Autumn Leaves”), also known as Akihabara Electric Town, is a major shopping area for electronic, computer, anime, and otaku goods, including new and used items. Which sounds like Japanese for DIY Drones….
Source: engadget