A new drone from Parrot does double duty, flying through the air like any other quadcopter but converting in a snap to propel a small hydrofoil boat. It's actually quite simple: By attaching the drone perpendicular to the body of the boat, the gadget sends its thrust rearward instead of down, causing the boat to move forward and rise up on its little pontoons. Once you see it, you think, "Why didn't anyone do this before?"
The Hydrofoil drone costs €169, or about $190, and is just one of over a dozen devices Parrot suddenly announced Friday — in French. There are drones with lights on them for nocturnal flying, updated versions of the company's jumping remote control vehicles, and a "cargo" drone that has enough leftover thrust to carry a figurine or toy on its back.
These new machines are going to be available in Europe in July, but the U.S. may have to wait a bit longer. We'll know more later this month when Parrot brings its new toys stateside for demonstration.
