The flying sphere

The Japanese have demonstrated a spherical flying drone developed by their Ministry of Defense. It can hover, move forward at 60 km/h, maintain control after bumping into an obstacle, and even land and move across the ground. They say it was built out of off-the-shelf parts that cost only about $1400. They hope to use it for reconnaissance and rescue operations.

The only videos of it I've seen show it indoors, I wonder how well it handles in a wind? Also, the report didn't give its range or endurance. Then again, this is just a prototype so it should be viewed as primarily a proof of concept vehicle. 

Now all we need is a crazy Chinese farmer to build a manned version of it. 

(via Damned Cool Pictures.)