Parrot Names Horizon Hobby as AR.Drone Distributor in U.S. and Canada

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Parrot, one of the leaders in wireless peripherals for mobile phones, announces that Horizon Hobby has been named the exclusive U.S. and Canadian hobby distributor for the AR.Drone, a quadricopter using augmented reality and piloted with an iPod touch®, an iPhone® or an iPad™.

"We've had an overwhelming consumer response to the AR.Drone, and this agreement with Horizon Hobby will put the AR.Drone into the hands of those RC enthusiasts who love to fly," said Parrot's North American Vice President Sales and Marketing, Christian Coly. "The AR.Drone quadricopter inspires all of us to get up and play."  

The AR.Drone combines real and virtual worlds to offer an unparalleled flight experience. Two cameras broadcast and stream what the AR.Drone is seeing onto the iPod touch, iPhone or iPad screen and provides the opportunity for augmented reality games.

"Horizon is proud to be named as the exclusive hobby distributor of the AR.Drone from Parrot," said Victor Audo, Domestic P&G and R/C Purchasing Manager of Horizon Hobby.  "We believe this product fits perfectly within our portfolio of innovative and engaging high technology hobby and general products from supplier partners around the world."

About the Parrot® AR.Drone Quadricopter

The Parrot AR.Drone is extremely easy to fly in both indoor and outdoor settings. The AR.Drone generates its own Wi-Fi network at which you simply connect an iPod touch,  iPhone or iPad. The AR.FreeFlight application is a free app in the App Store and allows for the AR.Drone to be piloted via the iPod touch/iPhone/iPad. Once in-flight, the accelerometer of the iPod touch/iPhone/iPad detects all of the movements and the AR.Drone will mirror all movements made by the iPod touch/iPhone/iPad while the pilot's left thumb is on the control button.

The AR.Drone uses MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanicals Systems), three axes accelerometer, two gyrometers [one axe & two axes], one ultrasound sensor and one vertical camera to automatically stabilize once it takes off. This allows for very stable flights for even beginner pilots.

The AR.Drone-Pilot Academy at www.ardrone.com provides multiple videos and instructions that prepare aspiring AR.Drone pilots for flight. It also connects AR.Drone fans from around the world. More information about the AR.Drone can be found at http://www.parrot.com/facebook or www.twitter.com/ardrone.

Each AR.Drone box includes:

• AR.Drone with internal hull
• 1 external hull
• 1 battery
• 1 battery charger and 4-pin mains adapter
• 1 set of stickers (for augmented reality games)
• 1 quick start guide

About Horizon Hobby

Horizon Hobby is an international developer, marketer and distributor of radio control (RC) hobby products, model trains and a wide range of educational, toy and other hobby products. An employee-owned company, Horizon employs nearly 700 people and sells products in more than 50 countries around the world. Corporate headquarters, along with the main distribution facility and product service center, are located in Champaign, Illinois. Additional distribution centers are located in Ontario, California; Harlow, England (site of Horizon Hobby UK Ltd.); and Elmshorn, Germany (site of Horizon Hobby Deutschland GmbH). California is also home to the Losi RC car division (Ontario) and the Athearn train line (Long Beach).

About PARROT

Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living. Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free systems on the market for cars, motorbikes and scooters, including wireless multimedia products geared towards audiovisual applications. In 2008, Parrot launched a new prestige line of high-end products bearing the hallmark of renowned artists and in 2010, the AR.Drone, the first quadricopter piloted via wi-fi and using augmented reality.

Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs more than 500 people worldwide and generates 85% of its sales overseas. Parrot is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris since 2006. (FR0004038263 – PARRO)

More information : www.parrot.com / www.ardrone.com / www.parrotoem.com

®The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Parrot S.A. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

SOURCE Parrot