Technology

Here‘s the ’Robokopter’ Drone That Allowed Civilians to Film the Poland Riots

Civilians Use Military Grade Robokopter to Spy on Police During Polands Independence Day Riots

View from Robokopter of the riots.

Earlier this month, police and rioters clashed on Poland’s Independence Day, resulting in more than 200 arrests. A spokesperson for the prosecutors, Monika Lewandowska, said it was the worst street violence Poland has seen in years, according to the Warsaw Business Journal.

During the riots, bird’s eye view footage was taken from a drone helicopters sent up by civilians, presumably to spy on police. “Robokpoter,” as it’s called, has applications for authorities as well as scientists and civilians, according to the manufacturer’s website.  This unmanned aerial vehicle has capability to not only film or take pictures but it also has “far reach” modem capability to allow it to transmit all information in near real time.

See more about Robokopter (Note: It’s in Polish but you get a good close-up of the drone):

Here’s some of the original footage that was taken of the riots from the Robokopter:

This technology is an example of what Defense Tech calls “democratization of what was until very recently, military-grade tech:”

This is a straight up ISR drone that’s flying high above the streets of a major city taking camera footage that was once the exclusive domain of high-priced news choppers and government helos.

By the way, the Warsaw Business Journal continues to describe the events of the riots in with a leftist group called the Colourful Independent blocked an Independence Day march organized by youth groups. It reports that 46 people have been charged thus far:

A police plan to keep hostile marchers separate from one another was successful, said national police spokesperson Mariusz Sokołowski. However, he added that “thugs and hooligans joined the marches to target police.”

President Bronisław Komorowski said that the riots were a “national shame” and that laws should be changed so event organizers bear greater responsibility in the future. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that he was in favor of a law to make Independence Day event organizers take mandatory insurance to cover any losses.

Here is another view of police headed toward the riots from a Robokopter:

[H/T Business Insider]

Comments (43)

  • zopola
    Posted on November 23, 2011 at 3:11pm

    The bigger story here is the demonstration itself. Some 28,000 Poles of a CONSERVATIVE persuasion showed up to march peacefully with signs that promoted God, national unity and economic freedom. The signs voiced opposition to COMMUNIZM, and European FASCISM.
    The huge gathering turned into a melee when groups of Neo-nazis and leftist OCW-wannabees began attacking the marchers. Their intent was to disrupt and marr the day, and to promote political division within the country… Most of all – to get airtime, which they did… (including the ‘robo-copter’).

    Report Post »  
  • quickstudy
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 7:38pm

    surreal

    Report Post »  
  • Patriot12
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:26pm

    Its a helicopter with a camera. Big deal. our department has one that carries a camera and also has the capabilites to carry a weapon..

    Report Post »  
    • UrbanCombatSurvivor
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:36pm

      When, exactly, did it become legal for civilian aircraft to be armed with weapons? And why wasn’t this touted as a 2nd Amendment victory for the people? Unless, of course, it’s another special law for special groups and the average citizen cannot do this?

      Report Post »  
    • Carl McPherson
      Posted on November 24, 2011 at 1:10am

      @Urbancombat I believe he used the term ‘his department’. I don’t think he was saying he has a personal helicopter equipped with a weapon. I think he’s referring to the police department he works for.

      Report Post » Carl McPherson  
  • gsreagan
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 6:07pm

    This is great. Capitalist technoloy ventures in a former communist state. What does that tell you??

    Report Post »  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 3:30pm

    And who paid the $20-40K for the drone?

    Report Post » babylonvi  
  • ejbonk
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Hey Beck, Get One to watch the Occupy Idiots. GBTV: Exposing the Truth Everywhere!

    Report Post »  
  • Lateris
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 1:41pm

    I was just thinking sky net! LOL

    Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 3:34pm

      Awesome. If it’s not being used in movie making it should be. It could also be dangerous in the wrong hands.

      Report Post »  
  • tharpdevenport
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 12:26pm

    Great, all it needs is lasers and some walking Terminators; Obama will provide the apocolyptic future.

    Report Post » tharpdevenport  
  • Jive Mickey
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 12:18pm

    As fancy as some of these are, they are still allergic to buckshot.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 12:16pm

    We only think… the Socialists are ahead of us in Spy Technolgy… because the US uses Stealth to spy on us!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 12:08pm

    this is finally affordable..

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • 762x51
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 11:00am

    I only have three questions:
    1. Where can I get one?
    2. Can it be adapted to carry area denial weapons systems?
    3. Was Peter Weller operating this one?

    Report Post »  
  • mtrublu
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:27am

    Wait until the NFL gets ahold of this! . . . If they could just get a silent propeller and a high-powered mike for helmet cracking sound, that would be perfect!

    Report Post »  
    • LOLReally
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:58am

      A parabolic microphone is used at NFL already to hear what the players are saying to eachother. Just make a smaller version. I used to fly alot of electric hobby planes and you cannot hear it after 100yds so they should be queit enough without modification. The radio signal will travel farther than you can see it, so if you can see the craft your within range, direction of travel at that range is a whole ‘nother issue.

      Report Post »  
    • 4blackhorses
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 3:47pm

      No kidding! That thing is noisier than hell!! Not much stealth there if you can hear it coming ten miles away.

      Report Post »  
  • A. N. Other
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:17am

    This type of UAV is generically called a quadrocopter. It originated as a DIY enthusiast project in Europe. Builders started equipping them with cameras, then with GPS receivers, autopilonts, and inertial guidance systems. A friend of mine builds them.

    Typical endurance is 15-20 minutes. The UAV must be back on the ground within that time or it will fall out of the sky when the batteries fail.

    Commercial units are available from a variety of sources, one of the best known is the Draganflyer (www.draganfly.com). If you google “quadrocopter” or “mikrocopter” you should find resources, including kits, for building a DIY version. Cost for DIY should be less than $1000.

    Report Post »  
  • louisbj
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:04am

    airfoilskycam.com

    Report Post »  
    • louisbj
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:05am

      these are not toys

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:12am

      When the entire global system collapses it will be clay-pigeon target practice.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:19am

      600 hundred trillion plus of wrapped up spaghetti, no one knows where it begins or where’s the ending. It only ends one way and one way only.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:21am

      It ends the same way it has ended for thousands of years; total utter, complete collapse.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:26am

      Of course I mean they will be target practice for the Polish.

      Report Post »  
  • SLEUTH
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:59am

    STRIKER, you can. get a remote chopper from http://www.bananahobby.com/2219.html and attach a small battery powered cam to it. wanna know what your kids are doing upstairs? buzz right on up.

    Report Post » SLEUTH  
  • MeMadMax
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:58am

    I want one of these!

    Report Post » MeMadMax  
  • Free2speakRN
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:46am

    George Orwell, You were right.

    Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:01am

      That’s because he understood how money works. Fiat money requires more and more government power, but it can only go so far before it just collapses in on itself, because even the corrupt will betray each other.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:03am

      You should actually thank George Soros for stepping of the gas pedal, instead of letting them cook you slowly.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 10:08am

      Because if George Soros and all his cronies had not of stepped on the gas pedal, then you would all still be asleep in silent enslaved slumber. And anyone who knew you were enslaved would not dare speak a word, because you all appeared “Happy” in slavery.

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 11:32am

      @Eliasim
      Don’t pretend you know us.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • brotherjohn
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 4:02pm

      George is getting old and he wants to see the fruits of his labors before he dies.

      Report Post » brotherjohn  
  • Joisey
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:43am

    Great that the government can’t keep the Truth from the people.

    Report Post » Joisey  
  • ozchambers
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:36am

    Does this thing only fly for 2 mins at a time??

    Report Post » ozchambers  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:33am

    Of course the Obama admin will wonder if hellfire missiles can be mounted on it, to use against the American people here at home…

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Striker
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:31am

    I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:44am

      I predict unmanned drone dogfights.

      I’ve been thinking of mounting an electromagnetic railgun that propels tranquilizer needles on a small RC chopper or plane… or a custom ionocraft…

      Then I won’t have to really kill infantry, I’ll just tranq you with a needle, disarm and disrobe you with an RC tank with tactile appendages, and eat my beef jerky.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on November 22, 2011 at 11:34am

      VManMACE
      You may want to put something on there to diable the drone coming after your drone.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on November 22, 2011 at 9:29am

    ….there‘s 2 minutes I’ll never get back….

    Report Post »  

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