Here's a similar one the Japanese DOD (?) showed off a few years ago, I think, so I suppose the single-rotor (or dual on same axis) flying sphere with flaps has

Here's a similar one the Japanese DOD (?) showed off a few years ago, I think, so I suppose the single-rotor (or dual on same axis) flying sphere with flaps has been around for a while: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF0uLnMoQZA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF0uLnMoQZA It's also supposed to be able to bump, roll and stuff, but it looks like the OP has improved on the idea quite a bit with the independent suspension/crash cage.