3D Printed Autonomous Flying Umbrella That Follows You Automatically

You read that right. This 3D printed umbrella takes flight and follows you around, keeping you protected from the rain while leaving your hands free. To make it possible, John Xu, creator of the YouTube channel I Build Stuff, used 3D printing to manufacture much of the structure and create a design capable of maintaining stability in flight.

This umbrella is the second version of the project. The first consisted of an umbrella fitted with screwed-on propellers that could fly, but it still had to be controlled with a remote. For the second version, Xu developed a fully autonomous system that allows users to walk while staying protected from rain or sunlight, without having to use their hands.

The 3D-printed core connects the umbrella to all of its electronics.

To ensure the umbrella wouldn’t need to be held, John opted for folding arms that support the four propellers. When the umbrella is closed, the arms fold away. Once opened, a locking mechanism secures them firmly in place. Hinges, locking plates, and other components underwent numerous iterations of design, 3D printing, and testing to reduce the vibrations that interfered with the flight controller.