Company to produce smart motor for paper airplanes

The paper airplane that you throw in the air by hand is given a high-tech successor. Powerup Toys developed a propulsion mechanism with propellers to control paper airplanes with the smartphone. The funding on Kickstarter has since been amply met.

The Powerup is a kit that converts an ordinary paper airplane into a powered airplane with smartphone control. The module consists of double propellers that provide the propulsion, and a ‘cockpit’ containing a microcomputer.

According to the developer, this Powerup kit is much more advanced than the three previous versions that were released after as many successful Kickstarter campaigns. For example, the new kit features two propellers instead of one for the first time, and a gyroscope and accelerometer have been added. The new functions ensure that the aircraft takes off more easily, stabilizes itself during flight and is also more resistant to gusts of wind.

Also new are the so-called Autopilot Aerobatics; tricks in the air that are performed via the app at the touch of a button, such as a loop and a barrel roll. Due to the improved stability and the more powerful engines, it would be possible to fly not only with paper airplanes, but also with constructions made of cardboard or balsa wood. According to the makers, speeds of up to nine meters per second are possible and the Bluetooth range is about seventy meters.

For the first time, users will also be able to view telemetry data and other statistics from each flight. For example, the smartphone app provides information about flight direction and engine power. In the more expensive Powerup Pro kits, the enthusiast will also find a small landing gear and a set of colored LEDs for night flights.

An amount of 36,430 euros was required to realize the new Powerup, but with 25 days to go, the counter now stands at almost 800,000 euros. This means that the gadget can actually be manufactured and sold. Individuals who financially support the project can expect to receive their ordered Powerup at a discounted price sometime in April 2020. The normal prices of the kit will soon be about 72 euros for a basic model to 118 euros for the Pro version, the shipping costs of 6.50 euros not included.