The SMALLEST Inspection Drone? - Micro X8 in the Palm of your Hand!

[@evanhall2295]

Seems like it should have some LEDs mounted on the front of it so you can light up those dark environments.

[@LetsFlyRC]

Yesssss. Definitely a good idea.

[@Dylan-no3nu]

This is honestly my favorite video you all have put out in a long time. displaying other industry uses for FPV to take it beyond artistic/entertainment applications.

[@licensetodrive9930]

Oh damn, that micro x8 looks great! I bet someone's already planning on making one from two Mobula 6's for getting into even more confined spaces.

[@PropKnucklesFPV]

I feel like this is actually an acceptable time to put the camera on a tiny servo for up and down adjustment, to inspect the top and bottom of things.

[@benargee]

I was thinking the same thing. A less graceful approach than the DJI mini 3 gimbal but the same idea.

[@justainchoe]

I have to say that this concept is my favorite so far. Gives me so many ideas. Thanks for sharing your creativity!

[@LetsFlyRC]

Thanks. It was mainly a proof of concept. If I had time, and motivation, I could take it further and create a better ball design frame and add lights.

[@cgmiller82]

Just a tip, I bind a 3 position switch to the flight mode, and have airmode disabled in Angle or Horizon, and then enabled in Acro. I actually did it by accident when I was "new" and thought air and acro were the same thing. Great video!

[@LetsFlyRC]

My freestyle drone has airmode on a switch. I didn’t think it was needed on this little one. Lesson learned

[@MarksRandomVideos]

@Chris Miller if you switch off airmode in horizon its kinda pointless as you wont be able to flip?

[@le_ti_lik]

@@LetsFlyRC The way you make it stop bouncing when it get's stuck in a tight vertical space is to throttle up, stick it to the ceeling then slowly throttle down. Orrr, if it's flying in angle anyway, have airmode off.

[@cinemoriahFPV]

@@MarksRandomVideos You can still flip if you have enough throttle...

[@MarksRandomVideos]

@@cinemoriahFPV if its off throttle, I thought it was a flip. Any throttle, its a roll, or not?

[@SmittyAccess]

So I’m a rope access tech and these drone companies have been trying to put us out of business, I’m not a supporter of that but I do love spot flying. I have seen more drones fail in the inspection industry then succeed. I have also seen a half a million dollar drone just fly off the side of a platform into the sunset never to be seen again, the pilots had no clue what even happened.

[@foxtree4255]

I'm sprat certified as well. A lot of little parts of our job could use a drone with a competent pilot. Simple jobs like rope ascents to inspect hardware will be replaced by drones(check DJIs Dock system). But a lot of our work will simply not be feasible, especially the labor side of things like installing a capstan winch and hoisting materials and probably won't see a drone rescue any time soon.

[@foxtree4255]

A cool feature on DJIs cine drone is the 3d dolly. You choose coordinates in space and the drone moves back and forth between them with one gimble move. I can see that replacing a lot of small material lifting for workers aloft.

[@robertmorris1150]

Nothing can replace a human being, however drones or UAV's are tools just like a wrench or a rope and pulley. It's something to add to your arsenal of problem solving items. 😊

[@Shauny_D]

I keep airmode tied to the same switch as acro/angle. So airmode is only on when in acro mode. HUGE life saver for tiny whoop racing or even if you are in acro and stick to a wall flip to angle and you often unstick.

[@LetsFlyRC]

Good idea

[@MatLittlePPG]

great idea, thanks.

[@Shauny_D]

There is also a threshold setting in cli for it so it only turns on when throttle is below a certain percentage. That way at say 10% throttle and up it’s off even in acro. You can kinda power through stuff that way

[@Hotwire_RCTrix]

You guys should try a pusher prop on this (a 5th motor that allows the drone to fly forward without tilting). Going thru holes wound be a push over (pun). If you haven't done this you should try. Pushers are really easy to fly like a fixed wing but with hovering ability.

[@SkyCandyVisuals]

4:30 bubby proceeds to test durability 🤣🤣 I'm laughing like crazy 😅Sean don't break my 💩

[@bama3dr608]

Nice work Shawn! You're like the Rotor Riot resident mad scientist.

[@jeremyboyce1537]

AMAZING , SWEET , NICE , AWESOME , EDUCATIONAL , This is what it is all about .

[@xavier_arthur]

This is a top seller right here, so valuable 💪

[@trianglesky380]

That was awesome. Definitely liked the video a million times, will build it just like it.

[@bradgibson1976]

Sean is awesome bro. Good episode thanks guys.

[@abrahamcortes8100]

Good job guys !

[@ragefpv6780]

Love this model & concept. Would be great to get a build video & list of parts. That way we can customize the crud outta it

[@shareobj]

4:30 - Why are you breaking my stuff 🤣

[@piotradamski271]

Extra lights for dark spaces? Make a switch ON/OFF for flying in pipes :)

[@trillhousefpv3830]

I love how Shawn just put shit together!

[@nikodelrey]

I like it! As a home inspector I could really use it. I wonder if I could add a light of some kind for dark locations.

[@slopeyfpv3412]

If you have the right camera and goggles you shouldnt need a light depending how dark it is

[@nikodelrey]

@@slopeyfpv3412 Perhaps but looking for something for a dark crawlspace or completely dark attic

[@PilotPlater]

A light is an easy addition. Could even use a really high power light and put on a switch to save battery/thermals if you don't need light

[@the_darkside_fpv]

Damn Shawn this is sick. Kudos brother

[@gandaulf_fpv6925]

Imagination drives Innovation. Dynamic duo Shawn and Bubby. Certainly some uses for this! 🤙 Drew kills at inspection mode! I did ceilings for 20 years and this would have made many many less trips up and down on a scaffold or lift. Time saving would be money moneyl

[@puneethff4927]

Amazing Thank you brother 🥰👋

[@FlavoredCrayon]

Great job boys that was awesome

[@avengersracing]

Awesome vids , I just watched ur monster truckz vid👍😩

[@MarksRandomVideos]

Very cool, I think li-ion might be the next step, would it fly on 2S, one top, one bottom, in angle mode? Forgetting about acro, that could give the life you need for inspection.

[@bendixtrinity]

its hovering at 25A

[@MarksRandomVideos]

@@bendixtrinity Molicel P25A might do it :)

[@richardduncan9740]

@@bendixtrinity that sounds really high

[@406fpv9]

Will you please do a build video on some of these micro x8's? PLEASE!

[@LetsFlyRC]

Maybe I will do a Facebook Livestream or do it on my channel. Keep an eye out for it.

[@Fpvpilot928]

Needs either wheels or a spherical rolling ball around it to get through pipes better. Pretty awesome little inspection quad!

[@djSpinege]

exactly what i was thinking. would add a ton of weight though.

[@licensetodrive9930]

Wheels could be super light by making them out of small thin plastic discs.

[@RedCornStudios]

I'm ready for the pre-order!

[@mikespeedyfpv321]

Epic little drone 💯❤️👊🙏👌

[@robert_g_fbg]

Instead of Turtle mode, this one introduces… Armadillo Mode! Rolling away now

[@mostlygeniusrc]

I was thinking the same thing, make this happen Shawn. :)

[@ChainsawFPV]

That's cool. I use my Mobula 7 to go into walls and inspect stuff. Needs to be cheap so if it gets stuck or something happens its not a big loss.

[@sjoer]

I think you should place the batteries more centered and the FC probably vertical to edge out a little space between the stacks?

[@mikespeedyfpv321]

And epic flying skills 👌

[@John-rh3dh]

I think selling those would be a great idea. I plan on getting my certificate this winter, and building inspections is something I'm thinking of providing.

[@NeoIsrafil]

Ok, so I'd suggest throwing a few carbon crossbars between each of the props so it has a block cross section rather than a sideways H. Those gaps will eventually get you stuck, but if you put some rods there she would basically be perfect. Hmm...actually....I just got a great idea for a 4 prop inspection drone that could hit even smaller spaces. Ill start printing it when I get the current print job done.

[@omu_fpv]

Could you mount the batteries on the inside, as in the tops of the drones? Print a tpu cage to hold batteries. Makes the outside more round I would think.

[@dennislobos]

Amazing. You should mount the batteries in the sides. In the Middle of both frames, and you will make it smaller

[@brianlee5712]

RIP airflow 😭

[@foxtree4255]

Simple arduino addition of sonic sensors to detect and avoid collision. Sonic sensor can detect down to a mm allowing for extremely close proximity flying

[@christopherconkright1317]

I am not a drone guy just found your channel but I see a lot of its probably hollow plastic but instead of a piece of hollow plastic surrounding the drone or as the pillar between layers use a honeycomb pattern its is super strong and loses a ton of the material and could make the drone lighter

[@billybbob18]

I would use throttle expo to for fine control when hovering. Very impressive build.

[@Nietsnebarg]

This would be perfect for termite inspectors who can't fit into sub floor crawl spaces.

[@MotoStoriesandmore]

I'm away fro a few months and WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE!?!?!? Faster revolving rate of talent than a ceiling fan.

[@fpvmello3069]

Amazing!!!

[@Fr3ud]

You should try that with 65mm frames maybe to fit in tighter spaces 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@charleselliott3109]

I've been trying to build something like that for two years.....you did it and you rock. How much for a bnf?

[@charleselliott3109]

Creative minds create... Critical minds criticize.

[@BurgerurgerFPV]

@@charleselliott3109 god i fucking hate rotor riot

[@matthew04101]

how about quads with head tracking and pan-tilt camera ?

[@AeroTecCNC]

How heavy is it with out battery? how light can it be with minimum number and size of battery that is still flies? how heavy with full max amount of battery power?

[@Natecx]

the graffiti in red at 4:36, wow hahahah

[@flaparoundfpv8632]

Fun for the whole family!

[@captaindronieversefpv]

Hi , Riot. i want to ask what motor are you using ?

[@parker1ray]

That thing is huge compared to my Flywoo Firefly Hex Nano 1.6" 4S BNF Micro Hexacopter!

[@the_therapist_fpv7773]

Too funny…..omg bubby… first thing my daughter says while watching her show and hears me on my phone…” is that bubby?!” Nice !!!! Great lovely need to kee an eye on your magic man… told you before your an art of flow…

[@ugpfpv361]

Pretty cool. What was the flight time for slow inspection work?

[@LetsFlyRC]

Sorry. I don’t remember. Most of the batteries we used were abused, and probably wouldn’t create a proper result.

[@KamerenB]

Now if it could have a LED light on it you’re talking an awesome inspection drone. 🤘🏼

[@tattoosatan]

Sorry, but i think the Geprc thinking p16 hd with Naked Vista is better for inspection. The little whoop is much lighter,smaller and with 5 minutes flighttime long enough in the air.But still,that was a great Video again.

[@360vroomers]

Thanks but i dont understand why not just a 2 inch quad with prop guards? Why do you need x8 power?

[@LetsFlyRC]

The Skypersonic drone I flew with a ball around it couldn’t really fly outside, because the wind would blow it around. More power, more stability. I would love to have the ability to injection mold a ball frame around it, but, as a proof of concept, this was a quick solution.

[@360vroomers]

@@LetsFlyRC Thanks! Yes if there is a ball, I can see the need for power. But what I was wondering was, if it is not carrying a heavy camera and you are just using the fpv camera, is it possible to just use a 2 inch quad with prop guards, with no ball? It seems like it would might fit more easily in the pipe or rafters.

[@Darksagan]

I heard Shawn is making drones for DARPA now. lol

[@4DCResinSmoker]

Looks like the flight time is pretty short. Maybe use a 2S higher mAh LiPo with higher KV motors for more endurance.

[@vanadium9706]

Could you put 3D mode on there? I don’t know how’d that be helpful, just cool lol!

[@bbblllaaaj]

Cool. I want one!

[@whatanerd7628]

so is this an "octoquad", "octodrone" or "octocopter" ?

[@gammagonad1657]

I’m am a commercial drone pilot and a non destructive testing inspector. The concept is really cool, but the battery life and penetration of the SB system is not up to snuff, in my opinion. You might be on to something, it just needs a little more refinement. Excellent first version. I don’t mean to criticize, it’s just what I do, and I know it needs higher quality video and longer battery life. I actually built an X8 capable of taking ultrasonic thickness readings on pressure vessels and towers, so I’m not just talking out my ass. I also struggled with battery life and weight. It’s not an easy task to come up with the perfect solution.

[@SimPitTech]

this really puts things into perspective - the solution devised by academics (something 2 years old would come up with) vs real smart people (something that actually works). Academics solutions - overpriced, takes years to develop, impractical and the least innovative. smart person solution (without academical damage) = what you just showed. Recently I was part of discussion why businesses are distancing themselves from academia - this is excellent example why

[@cubleycat]

Search and resque drone!

[@ThingEngineer]

Sick

[@ThomasShue]

The multi million dollar flightTest of drones!

[@donmacdonald5863]

2 inch version of the Bone Drone maybe?

[@Lucky-ui7dh]

amazing

[@dvi6605]

I use drones for inspection work. Biggest issue in 2021 is I just need MOARRR Light, lots more light. All of them have puny lights, I need like 5000+ true lumens.

[@Sugalime3D_FPV]

Wow !

[@fpvnerd2124]

RR coming to realize that sb is going to take over next year so they are shifting their focus from dji ever so subtly. They aren't daft haha

[@chaseervin4428]

Add LED lights or ir camera... for dark locations.

[@57r4n63r]

The SP RACING h7 nano has 8 motor outputs and is 20x20.

[@LetsFlyRC]

Thanks. I have found a bunch of options lately that are available, now. I wish they were available a long time ago, when this was being built and filmed.

[@rhadiem]

I agree it needs a light, and maybe DJI for clearer views.

[@shanefox_pchs]

“This is going to be an awesome, new inspection drone that we’re gonna be able to use to inspect really small spaces where humans shouldn’t be going…” …that’s what he said… 0:24

[@brianfreland9065]

I cringe how little respect there always is for this man's prototypes. They always try to break them lol all they want to do is freestyle instead of testing its purpose. I'd quit letting them test them lol

[@flaparoundfpv8632]

That's the joke.

[@hateeternalmaver]

Sounds good. 8]

[@thestevefpv6296]

If I followed correctly, you made this to overcome what 'air mode' does to tiny whoops... but you have the same problem so you just turned air mode off? Did I miss something? Wouldn't the Baby Shark with air mode off work better? And it not like the props need more guarding.. They're already as enclosed as the can really be.. Love the Idea of just having fun building some weird shit though!!! Keep it up!!

[@LetsFlyRC]

I wanted a proof of concept for a drone enclosed within a ball. I don’t have access to injection molding, and didn’t want to 3d print an entire frame, for multiple reasons, so, this was a quick way to simulate a ball enclosure. Skypersonic makes a larger enclosed drone for inspection purposes, but, it is only good indoors. The first gust of wind makes it unstable and it is basically a big sail. This design has plenty of power to overcome wind and fly indoors or outdoors. The only thing needed to turn this proof of concept into a viable solution would be to design a better, injection-molded-ball-shaped frame that could bump, roll and bounce off basically anything. Adding lights would be another great improvement.

[@ChrisParayno]

Cool! More carbon, less plastics I'd this goes to production.

[@Dashone93]

Like a flashlight switch

[@rhadiem]

Nice design, needs some legs to prevent battery damage on the bottom.

[@veek2767]

Why is there no tinywhoops that use two 2s batteries but one after the other!?

[@patrickgrimsley]

My skate spot 15 years ago.

[@sickduck66]

You Have More Patience Than I Do.. I Would Have Back Handed That Kid....

[@chrisrb7876]

My man was so nervous to let him keep flying around lol. Z

[@muhname_esjefffpv1472]

RR needs a whoop pilot.....

[@Loki_Morningstar666]

I want one!!!

[@divingfalconfpv4602]

What about shendrone smol x8. They have videos carrying a hero

[@devilcfpv2621]

This little guy is cool, I’m a 5” apex only ripper but this thing I would totally use for construction site inspection for pipes in the excavation side and carpenter side of construction, if only it had a naked vista instead of shark-byte

[@Dronedudevideo]

reminds me of m Iflight Cinebee, what a flop... inspection drones are often in a sort of ball to make sure not to get stuck

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

Just need SB to have better penetration for proper inspection

[@SiNFPVGUAM]

Put a whoop in a bubble cage.

[@HalfChopped]

Looks like if the batteries were rotated 90 degrees you could get an insta360 Go on there nicely

[@MrPhilbautista]

How is this better than a tiny whoop? Nearly any micro drone would be smaller than this and should be able to bounce off anything without taking damage if they're flying it slow. If you want HD video, just make it a little bigger so it can carry an Air or Vista. Eight motors just adds to the mass making it bigger than it needs to be. p.s. Yo, Shawn. Why not make an X8 Cinewhoop that can lift a mirrorless camera. I saw a Malaysian video showcase an X8 Reptile Cinewhoop that could handle a Sony a6000. I just wish it was in English instead of Malaysian so I could understand what they were saying. I would think RR would have a market in Run n Gun film makers if they could come out with a small form factor FPV that could handle the weight of an a7Siii or GH-5.

[@LetsFlyRC]

This was a proof of concept for a drone enclosed within a ball. I don’t have access to injection molding, and didn’t want to 3d print an entire frame, for multiple reasons, so, this was a quick way to simulate a ball-like enclosure. Skypersonic makes a larger enclosed drone for inspection purposes, but, it is only good indoors. The first gust of wind makes it unstable and it is basically a big sail. The additional motors have plenty of power to overcome wind and fly indoors or outdoors, even if they were enclosed in a ball-shaped frame. The only thing needed to turn this proof of concept into a viable solution would be to design a better, injection-molded-ball-shaped frame that could bump, roll and bounce off basically anything. Adding lights would be another great improvement.

[@MrPhilbautista]

@@LetsFlyRC Thanks for the clarification, but it still doesn’t address the issue of size. For inspection purposes, wouldn’t a tiny whoop be more practical? It’ll fit into tighter spaces. It can bump into pretty much anything without causing damage to the object or itself. Wouldn’t more powerful motors be a better way of addressing the issue of fighting the wind? I get why they don’t use motors that are too powerful on toy grade or hobby grade tiny whoops. You don’t want noobs cutting themselves up and breaking furniture in the house, but in the case of industrial use, you’ll have pros handling the equipment so it shouldn’t be as dangerous a proposition. Anyway, this is just conjecture. I do appreciate the effort and enthusiasm you put into your build and look forward to more of them.

[@flaparoundfpv8632]

@ 4:36

[@mikaelhegerstroem6172]

Combine this with a position hold/gps and you’ve got something

[@adrianau4246]

Any hole with some hair etc will make it stuck tho..

[@MiserableDuck95]

Is Bubby 14?

[@RhinoNigel]

@4:36 lmk when you see it lol