The Chinese company Harbin Smart Special Aerocraft recently debuted a flying saucer, a four foot diameter tool designed as a tool for geological surveys and aerial photography (not to mention messing with unsuspecting folks at night).
The saucer runs on methanol, and it can climb up to 1,0000 yards at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. The device has an impressive hover time of about 40 minutes, enough time to get some actual work done.
Harbin reportedly spent 12 years and $4.1 million in the research and development of the small hovering saucer, but the business application are readily apparent. If they can get the price down at some point, wouldn't it make a great hobbyist platform?
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