Dad creates video-equipped quadrocopter to walk son to the bus stop

Apparently people who are bashing him, think it's amusing to call him lazy. I'm sure that bashing is more of a personal insecurity, how do you know anything about the person? Clearly the article doesn't state anything, but does that mean suddenly go attack him as a parent? Really sure you'd love to do that also, even if it's for other purposes.

Lazy or not it doesn't matter. Should we call you lazy, inadequate or such, if YOU won't do something? Chill on the insults and at least critique things fairly, you don't know the situation so zip the negativity overflow.

Well, the quad rotor helo for the iPhone is neither new business or likely designed by the dad in question.

This platform has been available over the counter at better hobby shops for quite a while:

See for yourself: http://www.hizook.com/blog/2011/01/12/ipad-and-iphone-controlled-robot-toys

Plus, you can search Youtube as there's plenty of video on this topic.

I was actually intrigued by one of these at the local hobby shop. But, needing an iPhone was the deal breaker.

And yes boys and girls, even I have enough sense not to weigh in on the quality of parenting issue. Whooda thunk that?

Probably he plays Mario and don't want to waste any time with his son. Way to go, dad! XD

This is absolutely a joke. This guy wants slapped

Why all of you don't stick to your own lives instead of being so judgemental for something that you have little knowledge about? All this overprotectiveness derives from your genuine concern for parenting? Or from your neglected childhood - 'cause this parent seems to actually care - in contrast to your parents back in time - or just from your personal deficiencies?

Has anyone considered the kid's perspective? I know from first hand experience that children much beyond kindergarten age find being walked by parents a drag & embarrassment, but may well think being tailed by a personal drone cool! Surely it's better than not caring at all, and possibly a really good idea (also, in the event of an "incident", the helidrone should provide evidence for the forthcoming abduction/assault case?)

Next article: Dad creates custom predator-like drone equipped with Air-to-Ground Missile to avenge his son bullied at the school, kill strike confirmed three kids found dead in pieces..

I don't think this is the lazy way as this is far FAR more effort than walking to a bus stop.
This sounds like a lot of work but I wonder if it has sensors to avoid collisions which IMO is mandatory with rotating blades.

Also what is more credible in an actual case? Actual footage of something happening, or just a general eyewitness accounting of things? People can be tainted or forget, you can't as easily ruin footage. Sure you can edit things out and such, but honestly there's a lot of angles you can view this.

I hate being so honestly negative to others, simply because they have a single viewpoint. Learn to view from two or three angles. Don't just zero in on something specific, if details are withheld from you. =)

Daddy be a lazy fat **** geek

You were saying?

I kept expecting that somewhere in the story I would be told this guy broke his leg and thats why he couldn't walk to the bus stop. I'm not as judgmental as some on here, but I'm not going to say that what this guy is doing is particularly great or considerate. Many philosophical, psychological, and practical problems with this solution. The physical presence is intimidating to kidnappers. While you can still be incapacitated, why would a kidnapper risk an attempt at a less vulnerable target when there are more to choose from. How exactly does this make the child feel? Embarrassment when people ask wtf is the helicopter for? Kid would get more ridicule then if the parent was actually there. How does the kid feel about walking alone? It just seems so impersonal. Like why is my dad going through all that trouble just to not spend time with me. Thats not something you internalize instantly but overtime can have a profound effect on a relationship. Nevertheless, the copter is still better then nothing. The idea that your child could be missing the whole school day and you not have any idea about it, no kidnapper description, no car description. 10 hours later you are utterly screwed and have no fighting chance to find the child.

This one has missile: http://I.imgur.com/7Y8d8.jpg

Has anyone even thought about it may have been the kids idea?

These issues are going to be present regardless what the parent does. Kid grows up saying "My parent was always there never letting me make my own choices" or "My parent was never there and I had to grow up fast". You see it's not the parent single handedly, it's the parent child relationship that matters. And since there is no mention of this relationship, everyones judgmental attitudes are discredited.

I wonder how many other technological advancements were made that could have been labeled with the same names you mentioned. Everything that has been created and patented had to come from somewhere. Chances are high that the biggest portion of technology we use today was probably created while some parent was being negligent. Knowing this though will not stop anyone from using any of the products.

(Credit for Image goes to "Guest").
Perhaps, but the Predator stalls at well above walk speed, and you'd have to fly too wide a circle to keep it on station...

That helicopter won't save your kid in an emergency, this is pure laziness and I do not approve. Plus your gonna have to sit and watch the camera anyway, so just do the task at hand!

What task's that?

He's a lazy **** and a poor parent, discussion closed.

It's not so much about this specific case, it's about how parenting is going downhill. Look around you....the way people are parenting is quite disturbing and it's getting worse and worse. It's a fact: most parents can't be bothered anymore.

Yeah and it all started when the government stepped in and confused parents on what exactly constitutes child abuse. Whats more abusive beating your kid for doing wrong or allowing your kid to continue doing wrong with very little consequence.