Drone-Flying Farmers, once breaking the law, now may soon gain clearance

Posted on by Damian McKay Earl ll
Image drone-over-farm.jpg
16 May

This is from MSN, not a News Station I trust, but sense this is the only source I currently have, I thought I would share what they said:

NUNN, Colo. — As the sun peeks over the fields of organic grain in this grassy patch of the state, some mornings, a dark dot appears in the sky as well, and a loud buzz slices through the pastoral scene.

It is a drone, and its pilot is a farmer named Jean Hediger, one of a growing number of American agrarians who have taken to using unmanned aircraft — better known for their use in war-torn lands far from the wheat fields of eastern Colorado — to gather information about the health of their crops.

In doing so, these farmers are breaking the law. It is illegal to fly drones for commercial purposes without permission from federal authorities, and those who do so risk penalties in the thousands of dollars. But the technology holds such promise that many farmers are using it anyway, dotting the country’s rural skies with whirring devices saddled with tiny video cameras.

“This has really become a big deal in ag,” said Ms. Hediger, who is in her early 60s.

“Our intent is pure,” she added. “Without being able to fly drones over our fields, they are asking us to remain in the dark ages.”

Soon, however, farmers may be able to fly their drones openly.

In February, the Federal Aviation Administrationproposed new rules that would allow people to fly small unmanned aircraft for commercial reasons. Drone operators would have to be certified and to keep their devices in sight at all times during flight. If the regulations are approved, after what could be a lengthy period of public comment and evaluation, there will be implications across the country: Drones could be used by construction workers, firefighters, filmmakers and others.

But few are as excited about this technology as farmers.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, an industry group, said that it expected agriculture to make up 80 percent of the market for unmanned aircraft after commercial flight is allowed.

“It’s invaluable,” said Corey Jacobs, a corn farmer who lives in rural Indiana. Mr. Jacobs, 28, used to spot weeds or weather damage by walking miles through his cornstalks in 100-degree heat. Now, he simply launches a drone.

He built his first unmanned aircraft in 2013 and quickly saw a business opportunity. Today, he is the founder and sole employee of Extreme UAS, which sells drones to fellow farmers. When he is not on a tractor, he is on Twitter, scouting for new clients.

Ms. Hediger, in Colorado, is one of his customers. She runs a 3,400-acre farm with her husband and her son, Bryce, 26. On a recent spring day, she stood in a wheat field as Bryce sent their newly bought quadcopter hurtling toward the horizon, a camera swinging from its belly.

He gripped a white control panel as he peered at a monitor that showed him a bird’s-eye view of the land. He scoured the monitor for weeds, which in past years have devastated their crop, forcing them to halt cultivation on more than half of their land.

“Having an aerial view is fabulous,” said Ms. Hediger, who estimated that the device would save her tens of thousands of dollars in the coming years because she would be able to pinpoint which parts of her fields needed fertilizer, water, weed killer or seed.

Though it could take two years for regulations to change, technology companies are moving quickly in anticipation of wider uses for drones, positioning themselves for an explosion in demand — and catering to rogue fliers in the meantime.

Agribotix, in Boulder, Colo., was founded in 2013 and has 15 employees. It sells drones like the Enduro, a six-pound quadcopter that comes with a camera, specialty software and a tablet or laptop that is used to direct the aircraft. The price is $7,000.

The company has sold about 100 devices to farmers and crop consultants — people who travel from farm to farm, deploying drones for growers. The largest portion of the company’s business, however, involves reading a drone’s data and turning it into something useful for the grower.

Once farmers have collected still images with an aircraft, they send the digital files to Agribotix, which stitches them together to create a map that delineates a field’s health by color. Red indicates patches of low growth where crops have been battered by hail or other forces, while green indicates portions of optimal health.

Using this information, growers make dozens of choices about where to lay costly products like seed, fertilizer and water.

All of this, said Tom McKinnon, the founder of Agribotix, is part of an increasingly popular farming method known as “precision agriculture,” a strategy that uses data and high-tech farm equipment to spot-treat a field according to need, rather treating it all the same.

Agribotix clients feed their maps directly into their tractors’ computer systems, and the machines follow the maps’ instructions — spitting a bit of fertilizer over here, a lot over there — until the job is done.

“The industry is going like gangbusters,” said Mr. McKinnon, 58. “Anywhere stuff is growing, that’s where we have our product.”

But concerns about crowded skies and the possibility of collisions continue to haunt the drone industry.

Andrew D. Moore is the executive director of the National Agricultural Aviation Association, which represents pilots who fly over farms, laying seed and other products. He is worried about pilots crashing into drones, which can look like specks until it is too late. “It could be lethal,” he said.

In the past, pilots have died after hitting poorly marked objects, including towers.

Mr. Moore’s group does not oppose drone use by farmers, but it believes that the proposed F.A.A. rules are too lax. The rules would require drone operators to pass a knowledge test, but Mr. Moore wants them to have to obtain a pilot’s license and mark their machines with bright colors.

Rogue drone fliers, he said, could “put a black eye onto this whole industry.”

Currently, the F.A.A. permits farmers and others to apply for exemptions to the rule prohibiting commercial drone flight. About 300 exemptions have been granted to people in many industries. Ms. Hediger and Mr. Jacobs, the farmers, both said they planned to apply — once their busy growing seasons were over.

But the line for a permit is lengthy. In early May, there were nearly 1,000 people on the wait list.

Penalties for drone-flying farmers range from a stiff email urging compliance all the way to a fine of $27,500. No growers, however, have been fined to date, according to Les Dorr, an F.A.A. spokesman.

“We recognize that unmanned aircraft have an enormous potential for monitoring crops,” Mr. Dorr said. But he urged eager drone fliers to be patient as the administration weighed safety concerns. “Rule-making,” he said, “can take time.”

regards

D M Earl ll

SOURCE: Everyone’s Blog Posts – DIY Drones – Read entire story here.

NVdrones: Create a Drone App in Minutes!

Posted on by NVdrones
Image STR_2856.jpg
15 May

Hi everyone,

Its been a while since our last update for our closed beta. We’ve been busy working on our hardware, firmware, SDKs, and our pre-order page. 

We are excited to share the latest of our endeavors with the community.

 

As a reminder, NVdrones strives to offer the simplest way to write drone apps. We are hardware-agnostic, which means you can use use our board with any flight controller and additional hardware. If you can access the flight controller (using PPM or PWM) and attach our board to it, you can make an application for your drone in minutes.

 

Technical Specs/Features

 

Our hardware developer kit consists of two parts. The NVextender, which is connected to a flight controller on the drone through PPM/PWM, and a dongle, which is used by the ground station. This allows you to autonomously and remotely control the drone over Xbee (further clarification in the section below), whether it is an Arduino board, smartphone, or a PC.

 

The technical specifications of the NVextender is as follows:

 

  • CPU: ATmega2560

  • 8 programmable digital pins: with PWM support

  • GPS port: easy attachment and auto-configuring

  • Built-in Autopilot Features: Fly-Home, GPS hold, Fly-To position, etc.

  • Easily Configurable Auto-Pilot (Coming Soon)

  • Serial buss: SPI, I2C, and UART.

  • External power: 4 power ports for servos, actuators and anything else needing extra power (total of 1 amp)

  • Xbee port: Swappable module for wireless communication.

 

During development, we put a huge emphasis on easy expansion and extensions. Our goal is to allow you to build an entire end-to-end drone solution in the easiest way possible.  

 

The dongle, as mentioned above, is the device that stays on the ground and adds an Xbee wireless connection to whatever device you choose to write your app for.

 

The technical specification of the dongle is as follows:

 

  • Xbee port: Swappable module for wireless communication.

  • Bluetooth: to be used with a smartphone

  • USB: to be used with a PC or MAC

  • Serial: to be used with a Arduino board

  • Rechargeable battery over microUSB

 

You can think of the dongle as a small box that adds Xbee to your device. In addition, since we didn’t obscure the communication with the Xbee in any way (we use serial for passing the data back and forth), our dongle in theory could also be used in other projects.

 

Flow Diagram

The Arduino SDK

 

We are proud to say that we underwent a major refactoring of our Arduino SDK. Although it slightly pushed our schedule back, we’ve optimized the code and so now you can easily interact with virtually any sensor, actuator, etc. You can check out the latest documentation for version 0.3 at developers.nvdrones.com. We believe it’s a truly easy-to-use, robust, and flexible SDK for developers to enjoy. Additional SDK’s are also on its way, so stay tuned.

 

Pre-Order for 20% Off

 

We are also excited to announce our pre-order store. This means that we are getting closer to full release where our early adopters can get their hands dirty with our platform and technology. Shipping in July!

 

Order now and get 20% off retail of $199. This equates to a $159 price tag.

 

Maker Faire

 

Last but not least, we will have a booth at Maker Faire between the 15th and 17th of May. If you are planning on attending, please stop by to say “hi” at Booth #5623!

 

We are going to have 3 stations where you will be able to test our SDKs live on actual hardware and drones.

 

We will have a set of drones where attendees can easily control:

 

– Servos,

– Gimbal,

– Sonars,

– LEDs,

– Integrate thermometer data

 

Please join us and feel free to spread the word around the Internets :) Happy flying!

SOURCE: Everyone’s Blog Posts – DIY Drones – Read entire story here.

Skysense Debuts Charging Pad for Parrot Bebop Drone at CES 2015

Posted on by personal drones
Image IMG_0462.jpg
15 May

I am glad to publish the following press release from SkySense:

##########################################

Berlin, January 2, 2015.

Charging drone batteries by having to disconnect them is now a thing of the past. The Skysense Charging Pad makes charging batteries as easy and landing on the charging station. Enabling remotely managed flights and fully automated missions. Pre­orders with a shipping date of February 2015, are now being taken at http://skysense.de/pre­order.

Skysense charging pad for parrot drone
Skysense charging pad for parrot drone

The response that Skysense has received from early customers and the global UAV community has been very strong and Skysense has partnered with many innovative companies in the drone industry.

Parrot's Beebop drone charging on a Skysense pad
Parrot’s Beebop drone charging on a Skysense pad

At CES, Skysense and Parrot will debut a smart battery module specifically designed for the Parrot Bebop Drone. After its demo with the MYO gesture­control armband last year, Parrot confirms once again its openness and interest in collaborating with startups on its most innovative products.

Parrot Beebop drone
Parrot Beebop drone

Since its inception in April 2014, Skysense started delivering the first units, joined the Start-Up Chile family and announced a fundraising campaign for their new ambitious product line.

Andrea Puiatti, Skysense CEO, will be attending CES and welcomes visitors to meet with him at the Parrot booth, from January 6th ­ 9th. In addition to demonstrating the charging pad, Andrea will also be discussing the company’s vision and the next big challenge.

Stay tuned on the Personal Drones Blog for the latest quadcopter and multirotor news!

SOURCE: Personal Drones – Read entire story here.

Looking to get a job as a Drone Pilot?

Posted on by Dave Oneal
Image rotor_ratings.png
15 May

Looking to get a job as a Drone Pilot? Well on today’s show we have our friend Rob from SpaceCityDrones.com and he has a fantastic new web site to help you do just that, its called RotorRatings.com, and what sets this online pilot directory apart, is the ability for your clients to rate your work, and allow those ratings to be seen by future clients.

Subscribe to That Drone Show on You Tube

rotor_ratings

Rotor Ratings is the ONLY online platform for multi-rotor pilots that allows your customers to “RATE” your performance, making you stand out from the crowd.

The post Looking to get a job as a Drone Pilot? appeared first on That Drone Show.

SOURCE: That Drone Show – Read entire story here.

WIN a DJI Phantom 3 Professional Drone

Posted on by Dave Oneal
Image WIN_P3.png
15 May

To celebrate the first shipments to arrive of the all new DJI Phantom 3, Drone Depot has teamed up with That Drone Show to give you a chance to win one of the very first DJI Phantom 3 Professional edition 4k drone

WIN_P3

Drone Depot is the number one place in the world to buy your Phantom 3 from, and they just received a large shipment direct from DJI. Drone Depot’s CEO Alex Wright has been a long time sponsor of That Drone Show, and wants one of our lucky viewers to get a chance to win their very own DJI Phantom 3 Professional edition drones.

Winner will be announced on May 6th 2015 at 12pm pacific time on That Drone Show

You must do 3 things to enter:

  • 1) Sign up with your valid email address to l
  • 2) Subscribe to That Drone Show on You Tube

  • 3) Share this page on your social networks use the tags
    #DroneDepot
    #ThatDroneShow
    #DroneDepotPhantom3GOLDr

    You must do all three things( If you are subscribed already, make sure you are, and then share, share, share on social media, Facebook, Twitter, IG, etc..) The more you share the more chances you have to win.Here are some more images to share below

  • Win_look_1
    orangeAnd here are some for Instagram too:INST_GOLDWIN_P3P3_WINNER

The post WIN a DJI Phantom 3 Professional Drone appeared first on That Drone Show.

SOURCE: That Drone Show – Read entire story here.

Thank you Kick Starter

Posted on by Dave Oneal
Image thank-uou.png
15 May

We want to thank the drone community for coming together to help us successfully fund our documentary on drones. We are off to shoot more but we wanted Anthony Cools one of the stars of the film to thank you all on our behalf, we will have more updates, and more behind the scenes coverage.

We will be shipping rewards soon, and updating our posters with the new executive producers names soon.

If you think your story is worth telling in the film, contact us at DsOnealing@gmail.com

Follow the movie now at http://thedroneinvasion.com/thank uou

The post Thank you Kick Starter appeared first on That Drone Show.

SOURCE: That Drone Show – Read entire story here.

DJI Phantom 2 found after 3 months in the snow

Posted on by Dave Oneal
Image MISSING.png
15 May

MISSING

In this episode we discover a DJI Phantom 2 that had been lost for 3 months in the snow and ice, and we watch as it is returned to its owner, but the question is, will the Phantom work, will it fly, after three months of being outside in freezing conditions?

The post DJI Phantom 2 found after 3 months in the snow appeared first on That Drone Show.

SOURCE: That Drone Show – Read entire story here.

WATT’S UP? – Drone Aviation Corp. announces their tethered UAS / UAV / Drone a.k.a WATT

Posted on by Air-Vid
WATT

WATT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Drone Aviation Holding Corp. (OTCQB:DRNE), a developer of specialized lighter-than-air aerostats and tethered drones, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Drone Aviation Corp. (DAC), has officially launched WATT, the Company’s first model of a new line of commercial-grade electric tethered drones designed to provide secure and reliable aerial monitoring for extended durations while being tethered to the ground via a high strength armored tether. Unlike “hobbycraft drones,” WATT is uniquely suited for a wide number of news gathering, industrial and emergency response applications where manned aircraft and even free-flying drones are unable to deliver the long flight duration and commercial grade real-time day/night video monitoring capabilities needed, all while operating in compliance with the new guidelines proposed by the FAA.

WATT is a complete turnkey system that can be launched within minutes of unpacking from a standard case stored in a host vehicle. When launched, WATT is designed to hover in a stationary position directly above its launch site at one of several preset altitudes of up to 300 feet. Once airborne, a highly stabilized military-grade/broadcast quality HD video imager can provide a 360° live aerial monitoring feed transmitted through the tether to its host vehicle while being wirelessly shared to a network of mobile devices such as tablets or laptop computers.
Key WATT features include:

  • Unique power system provides the ability to either draw power parasitically from a host vehicle such as TV production trucks, first responder vehicles or common agriculture/infrastructure equipment with standard 120v/220v power or WATT can independently provide up to 8 hours of operation through its own ground power equipment.
  • WATT is designed to carry up 10 lbs. of payload such as advanced, highly stabilized optical packages capable of delivering live broadcast-quality or military grade day/night all-weather sensors.
  • Significant safety features incorporated into WATT such as fault-tolerant primary sub-systems, on-board battery back-up, automatic telemetry alerts and auto recovery/retrieve functionality for safe and simplified operation.
  • Aircraft control over tether helps avoid the risks from radio frequency collisions, interference or hacking.

Drone Aviation Corp. Tethered DroneDrone Aviation CEO Ms. Felicia Hess stated, “WATT is the result of over 3 years dedicated development and research by our talented design team, and we are proud to now show the industry what we believe is the finest, most cost-effective commercial-grade tethered drone designed to comply with the FAA’s proposed guidelines. Over the next several months, we look forward to demonstrating WATT in various upcoming live exercises with our partners and proving its unique capability to support many applications in the rapidly developing global commercial drone marketplace.”

For more information on WATT including a product video, please visit www.DroneAviationCorp.com.

About Drone Aviation Holding Corp.

Drone Aviation Holding Corp. (DRNE) provides critical aerial and land based surveillance and communications solutions to government and commercial customers. Utilizing a unique tethering capability, drone systems operate in the National Airspace within FAA guidelines for safe operations. Drone systems are designed and developed in-house utilizing proprietary technologies and processes that result in compact, rapidly deployable aerostat solutions and mast based systems that have been proven to fulfill critical requirements by the military and law enforcement in the U.S. and to our allies around the world. For more information about Drone Aviation Holding Corp. please visit www.DroneAviationCorp.com, or view our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on http://www.sec.gov, including the Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 5, 2014, as well as our Quarterly Reports for the quarters ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains projections of future results and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the projections and forward-looking statements included in this press release are described in our publicly filed reports. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, the acceptance of our products, lack of revenue growth, failure to realize profitability, inability to raise capital and market conditions that negatively affect the market price of our common stock. The Company disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements.

A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=31088

IR Contact:  
Dave Gentry
RedChip Companies Inc.
T: 407-644-4256


Media Contact:
Michael Glickman
MWG Co.
T: 917-596-1883

– See more at: http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/03/02/711372/10122667/en/DRONE-AVIATION-LAUNCHES-WATT-ELECTRIC-TETHERED-DRONE-FOR-COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRY-APPLICATIONS.html#sthash.Uw3fV3ui.dpuf

The post WATT’S UP? – Drone Aviation Corp. announces their tethered UAS / UAV / Drone a.k.a WATT appeared first on Air-Vid.com.

SOURCE: Air-Vid.com – Read entire story here.

Drones Reshaped Forever by New Uni-body Technology; Futuristic Frameless Designs Replace ‘Model-T’ Rotors

Posted on by Air-Vid
Image IMG_3234-0.jpg
15 May

South Carolina startup has recently developed a frameless multi-rotor uni-body that can be adapted to all types of 3D shapes. UAS Directions’ new patent pending designs will reshape the face of drones forever.??

UAS Directions is a startup bent on thinking from unexpected directions. Over the past 16 months they have pored their unique design philosophy into developing their 3D multi-rotor uni-bodies. They believe the launch of their first “frameless” concept will put an end to framed multi-rotors, or as they label them, ‘model -T-rotors.’ “Flight systems are evolving fast, but everyone’s following everyone else with the same basic frame layout. No one seems to be addressing the limitations and inherent safety flaws in their shape and exposed propellers. What if a drone could take on any 3D shape? Our patent pending innovation is like driving a new BMW to Henry Fords unveiling of the Model T in 1908,” says Aaron Weller, Founder of UAS Directions.

???

?

“If we hope to gain acceptance of a safety conscious public, we have to address these safety issues. Our first uni-body platform, the Droplet V1, will change our industry permanently. The Droplet design speaks from the psychological vantage point of people who will come into close contact with drones. No one wants a ‘spider looking’ blender on steroids delivering their future Amazon or DHL package or photographing over their heads at an event. I don’t…and I’m an unmanned aerial pilot of 27 years,” exclaims Weller.

Weller expects waves of public outcry to increase over the safety of popular airframes such as the DJI Phantom and Vision. Multi-rotor propeller tips can travel at hundreds of miles per hour and are made of plastic or carbon fiber. Recent news stories have included a Florida woman being struck and lacerated at a flea market (WESH Orlando, Nov. 17, 2014) and a TGI Friday’s patron getting the tip of her nose cut off by a quadcopter during a Christmas promotion. (Fox News, Dec. 10, 2014) “We want to protect that curious child from getting their fingers chopped off or territorial birds of prey from being maimed by exposed propeller blades,” says Weller. “I believe if you can’t wrap your hands around a multi-rotor drone under full power, then it just isn’t practical.”

The Droplet’s internal cargo bay can hold deliverable packages, cameras and sensor equipment. Due to the fact that it’s propellers will not entangle in stringy debris or be disabled by incidental contact from any angle, the Droplet opens the imagination for indoor and confined space uses that may not be subject to FAA regulations. Other features include: total encapsulation of internal electronics and impact absorption in event of an accident.

??

UAS Directions says this technology can be applied to wearable designs for outdoor sportsmen and public safety officials. Future designs will also include automotive integration, custom flying corporate brands and airframes designed to dock with your smartphone. “Skies the limit when you have a airframe that can be safely caught with bare hands,” states Weller. “This technology can be applied to just about any 3D shape or product imaginable. It puts companies and industries in the game that have held back from drone integration due to insurance and liability issues.”

UAS Directions is focused on sharing its scalable and flexible technology with companies already developing their own drone programs. “We will be strategically partnering with companies who want to invest in a marriage of their own proprietary systems with the future of unibody platforms. The goal is to make developers platforms safer and more appealing to the public,” explains Weller.

For more information visit: uasdirections.com

The post Drones Reshaped Forever by New Uni-body Technology; Futuristic Frameless Designs Replace ‘Model-T’ Rotors appeared first on Air-Vid.com.

SOURCE: Air-Vid.com – Read entire story here.

Tethered Drones, the right tool may NOT require batteries.

Posted on by Air-Vid
Image droneaviation-logo.jpg
15 May

Drones – The Right Tool for the Job Can’t Just Rely on Batteries

By Dan Erdberg, COO of Drone Aviation Holding Corp. 

WATT

WATT

Technology is great because it helps us complete our tasks efficiently and effectively. Drones are no exception, however, given the global explosion of interest in drones, we must remember to use the right tools for the tasks we expect drones to complete.

What was first developed and used by the by the military for remote surveillance has been embraced by consumers for everything from personal amusement to professional photography and cinematography. Thanks to the lowered cost battery-powered drones, combined with GoPro cameras and the inspiring imagery they are creating, hobby-craft drones are popping up everywhere. The next logical path forward for drones is their use in commercial applications where industrial strength drones can be put to work for everything from agriculture monitoring to pipeline inspection, facility and event security to emergency response and disaster relief. But like any tool, having the right drone for the job is the best way to get the job done and in many cases, that drone cannot just rely on battery power alone.

watt teathered drone.

WATT Tethered Drone, Sustained/continuous operation at altitude up to 300′

Today, the vast majority of hobby grade drones are powered by LIPO batteries that provide the sole source of power they need to operate. While impressive, the < 30 minute duration limitation of simple battery power is just one of a number of significant issues limiting commercial adoption of today’s drones, issues including limited payload capacity, uncertain reliability and safety and the legality of simply flying a drone in the national airspace. While technology may eventually overcome some of these limitations, the tasks that commercial-grade drones must perform today and will be expected to complete in the near future require a long flight duration, high reliability and the ability to carry heavier payloads including stabilized cameras with stabilized zoom and day/night capabilities. This is why Drone Aviation Corp has focused on the development and commercialization of tethered drones. While conceptually not completely unlike moored balloons used in World War I, tethered drones, like Drone Aviation’s WATT launched earlier this month, can uniquely deliver the performance, flexibility and cost effectiveness required by commercial customers today.

Drone Aviation’s WATT launched earlier this month, can uniquely deliver the performance, flexibility and cost effectiveness required by commercial customers today.

WATT is a new line of commercial-grade electric tethered drones designed to provide secure and reliable aerial monitoring for extended durations while being tethered to the ground via a high strength armored tether. This makes it uniquely suited for a wide number of news gathering, industrial and emergency response applications where manned aircraft and even free-flying drones are unable to deliver the long flight duration and commercial grade real-time day/night video monitoring capabilities needed. WATT is a complete turnkey system that can be deployed within minutes from unpacking from standard cases stored in a host vehicle such as a news van or mapping base station. When launched, WATT is designed to hover in a stationary position directly above its launch site at one of several preset altitudes of up to 300 feet. Once airborne, a highly stabilized, broadcast quality HD video imager can provide a 360° live aerial monitoring feed transmitted through the tether to its host vehicle and wirelessly shared to whatever broadcast sytem or monitors are being used.

 When launched, WATT is designed to hover in a stationary position directly above its launch site at one of several preset altitudes of up to 300 feet.

One thing is for sure, drone developments will continue at a rapid pace as manufacturers creatively address the many challenges facing the commercialization of their drones. Regardless of the design approach taken – tethered or untethered – we have seen the future, a future where drones will become a vital commercial, journalistic, engineering and lifesaving tools.

seo: tethered drone, tethered drones, tethered uav, tethered uavs

The post Tethered Drones, the right tool may NOT require batteries. appeared first on Air-Vid.com.

SOURCE: Air-Vid.com – Read entire story here.

New Payload For the Draganfly, MicaSense RedEdge multispectral

Posted on by Air-Vid
Image IMG_0118-1024x682.jpg
15 May

UAV Manufacturer Draganfly Innovations Inc. Offers Agricultural Remote Sensing Solutions with MicaSense RedEdge Multispectral Camera

Draganfly Innovations Inc. releases an advanced precision agriculture solution that redefines the way agricultural data is collected and viewed. The camera simultaneously captures five discrete spectral bands, which provide useful data for monitoring crops and environmental health.

Mica Sense on a Draganflyer X4

Mica Sense on a Draganflyer X4

Unmanned aerial vehicles are instrumental in collecting multispectral imaging and provide data rich images, which are not visible to the naked eye. Draganfly Innovations now provides an all-inclusive solution that can plan, fly, and process advanced multispectral data. The Draganflyer Pro-Ag package is a comprehensive and powerful tool for farmers and researchers to gather the information needed to make better decisions.

The Draganflyer Pro-Ag package consists of a compact, ready-to-fly vertical take-off and landing UAV, rugged transport case, Draganfly Surveyor flight planning software, the third generation MicaSense RedEdge 5-band multispectral camera, and 2-axis stabilized gimbal. Built for efficiency, Draganfly Surveyor is easy to use and allows multi-flight mapping in situations when the project requires multiple flights to cover the area. Surveyor will automatically “join” the flights to create one seamless project. Ultimately, it’s all about acquiring high quality, precise aerial data.

GRVI image Draganflyer Pro-Ag package / RedEdge camera / processed by MicaSense

GRVI image Draganflyer Pro-Ag package / RedEdge camera / processed by MicaSense

CIR image acquired using Draganflyer X4-P with RedEdge camera and processed by MicaSense

CIR image acquired using Draganflyer X4-P with RedEdge camera and processed by MicaSense

The collected imagery is used to assess the health of crops and identify damage caused by pests or invasive weed growth. The scientific-grade multispectral imagery provides accurate and repeatable crop health maps so that the proper corrective course of action can then be determined. The combination of the MicaSense RedEdge and Draganflyer UAV provides a quick and effective solution for agricultural consultants and farmers worldwide.

HHC with Tablet and Surveyor

Dragan?y Innovations Inc., a recognized technology and industry leader in small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), is an original manufacturer with over 15 years of experience. Draganfly has partnered with data acquisition industry leaders such as Pix4D to provide aerial mapping, geo-referenced 2D mosaics, 3D surface models, and point clouds. Dragan?y systems are used in a wide range of applications for agriculture, public safety, aerial photography & videography, industrial inspection, geo-mapping, and search & rescue work worldwide.

For additional information, contact Dragan?y Innovations at 1-800-979-9794, sales(at)dragan?y(dot)com, or check out their website at http://www.draganfly.com

The post New Payload For the Draganfly, MicaSense RedEdge multispectral appeared first on Air-Vid.com.

SOURCE: Air-Vid.com – Read entire story here.

3DR (3D Robotics) Solo – New Drone Released with “Smart” Features

Posted on by Air-Vid
Image Solo_Social_3-1024x1024.jpg
15 May
Note from the editor: When you see a feature that is obvious in its application, but brilliant in its simplicity, you have to say “That’s just what I’ve been looking for”. The Cable Cam feature is that for us.  We can see it being applied to racing and commercial applications, e.g. filming skiers repetitively travelling a route (race), then back to start. – Bravo 3DR.

3D Robotics introduces Solo, the world’s first smart drone

 “Solo is a breakthrough in intelligent flight. It’s not just smarter so that it can do more; it’s smarter so that you have to do less. We’ve turned the Hollywood toolkit into software, and allowed everyone to experience epic video, both behind and in front of the camera.” — Chris Anderson, CEO 3D Robotics 

SoloTM provides a best-of-breed flight experience and unprecedented ease of use by tapping the processing power of twin Linux® computers, technology that has enabled 3DR to make radical breakthroughs in autonomous flight and camera control. As the first drone designed with every aspect of the photographer’s experience in mind, Solo can define its own flight, freeing users to focus on getting the shot. This intelligent drone is also the first to support full control of GoPro® cameras and deliver live-streaming HD video straight to mobile devices or through the controller’s HDMI port.

3DR's smart drone

3DR’s Solo

Today 3DR announced Solo, an all-in-one personal drone whose ease of use and powerful new features kick off a new aerial age. With computing power unmatched in the industry—from two integrated Linux computers, one on the craft and one in the controller—Solo delivers several world-first technologies, such as unfettered in-flight access to GoPro controls, including wireless HD streaming straight to mobile devices, and effortless computer-assisted Smart Shot flight features that allow even new pilots to capture professional aerial video from day one.

“We set out a year ago with the promise of not just creating the best drone, but the best overall aerial filmmaking experience imaginable. While this meant giving Solo smooth and powerful flight dynamics, it also demanded we make a smarter drone, one that could abstract users from flying so they can focus on getting great video,” said Colin Guinn, Chief Revenue Officer of 3DR. “What our users really want is great shots. They want professional tools that enable them to get those shots easily and consistently, right out of the box. Solo delivers on this promise: You get the shot, every time.”

“Solo will expand our concept of what a drone can be and do,” said Chris Anderson, CEO of 3DR. “Solo uses advanced autonomy to make creativity easier. Rather than needing skill to capture a great shot, you can let the software do the work. Even better, you can be in the shot—you can be the subject of your life’s story, not just the director.”

Solo will launch starting at $999 in over 400 Best Buy stores across the U.S., with immediate in-store availability on May 29th. Customers can take home Solo and immediately experience the thrill of capturing stunning HD aerial photography and videography with simple, out-of-the-box setup. 

Experience effortless flight

Effortless flight means effortless filming—less flight control; more creative control. Solo makes flying easier than it’s ever been with smooth and authoritative GPS satellite-guided flight, which also features auto takeoff and land, return home and the ability to instantly hit an e-brake and pause your flight midair. All these features are immediately accessible through the Solo mobile app or dedicated buttons on Solo’s remote controller.

3DR Solo Controller

3DR Solo Controller

Computer-assisted cinematography

Solo’s intelligence unlocks powerful and one-of-a-kind computer-assisted Smart Shots (patent pending). Just set up the exact shot you want in real time, then tap “play” on the app and Solo will execute it with a level of precision and a soft touch that even seasoned cinema pilots can’t match. And with a list of Smart Shots to choose from, the perfect shot is always just a few taps away. Cable cam and Orbit allow you to create a known and safe flight path along a virtual track in space, freeing you to shift your focus to getting the shot you want; or simply hit “play” and let Solo fly itself while simultaneously working the camera for you, as smooth and even as an expert cameraman. Follow mode lets you go completely hands-free, while Solo keeps up with your every move. Solo also features a one-touch aerial Selfie for a dramatic and customizable establishing Smart Shot of you and your surroundings. It’s all in service of Solo’s guiding principle: Get the shot. Every time.

3DR Solo - Orbit Function

3DR Solo – Orbit Function

3DR Solo's Cable Cam Feature

3DR Solo’s Cable Cam Feature

Stream HD GoPro video to mobile devices or through HDMI

Solo is the world’s first drone to wirelessly deliver HD video from your GoPro to your iOS or Android mobile device, at ranges of up to half a mile. Solo’s controller has HDMI output for live HD broadcast—to FPV goggles, high-quality field monitors, Jumbotrons at live events, even news vans—and with a staggeringly low video latency your live video is immediate and fluid for an “in-the-moment” feel. For instant social sharing of your aerial videos, you can even record the live video stream directly from the mobile app to your device’s camera roll. 

The Solo App for iOS and Android

3DR’s mobile development team has focused its efforts on providing a user experience never before seen with a drone. The Solo app lets you control your GoPro, choose between a live view from the camera or a satellite view of your selected shot and even change how the controller responds to commands. Solo’s app allows for automatic cloud-based logging of your flights, instant access to technical support, on-device recording of the live HD video stream and even support for future web-based control of Solo. 

3DR Solo - Supports iOS and Android

3DR Solo – Supports iOS and Android

Fly safely

We’ve made sure that even new users will be able to fly Solo with confidence. An app-based flight simulator will allow you to fly Solo virtually, before you get off the ground. And when Solo is in the air, the “pause” button acts as an emergency airbrake, stopping the copter in its tracks until you’re ready to take control again. Additionally, you can create a virtual “safety net” within the app that limits how high Solo is allowed to fly. 

The Solo Gimbal: Smart Shots; perfectly stable footage; GoPro control & charging; HD video

We worked closely with GoPro, the world’s most popular action camera company, to make the first gimbal capable of fully controlling the GoPro. Solo gives you the exclusive ability to start and stop recording video while in flight, which means that when you land you have only the shots that you wanted to take; when it comes time to edit you now have “fat free” footage, instead of dealing with huge, cumbersome files. You can also snap photos, change FOV, FPS and exposure compensation and much more—through Solo’s mobile app at long range, or dedicated buttons on the controller. The 3-axis Solo Gimbal stabilizes the camera to within 0.1 degrees of pointing accuracy and charges the GoPro so your battery doesn’t die during flight. Combined with Solo’s controller you get fine-grain tilt control, including angle presets and instant speed adjustment; or you can just create a Smart Shot, hit “play,” and Solo’s computer will fully control the gimbal for the perfect shot. The Solo Gimbal delivers all of these advanced capabilities while providing a painless and tool-free method of installing and removing the GoPro. The Solo Gimbal is sold separately for $399. 

3DR - Solo - Gimbal

3DR – Solo – Gimbal

The first-ever consumer drone run by two full-blown computers

With a 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A9-powered Linux computer running on both the copter and the controller, Solo’s intelligence unleashes nearly limitless possibility and future expandability. Because we use the onboard computer’s processing power to do the heavy lifting, the autopilot becomes the “brainstem,” exclusively focused on executing the rudiments of stable and reliable flight, while the computer serves as Solo’s “frontal cortex” and handles the higher-level processing; this task distribution dramatically reduces the likelihood of autopilot system failure during flight. Solo’s smart technology not only allows us to introduce many industry-first capabilities today, but also gives us the ability to unlock future technologies—everything from a next-gen Follow mode to computer vision and true artificial intelligence. 

User-friendly wireless updates

Solo only gets more advanced over time. Thanks to the foundation of the dual 1GHz computers, a simple mobile app update includes updates for Solo’s computer, the controller’s computer, the autopilot system and even the Solo gimbal—all delivered wirelessly with on-screen feedback so you can see exactly what’s happening along the way. Gone are the days of using USB cables to update your drone. 

Purpose-built aerial photography controller

With ergonomics inspired by popular video game controllers, the aerial photography-optimized Solo Controller feels natural even to new users. It simplifies flight and puts control of both the vehicle and the camera at your fingertips, with dedicated buttons on its face for Takeoff, Land, Return Home and Pause, in addition to two user-definable A/B buttons. On the controller’s left shoulder is a paddle for fine grain tilt control; on the right shoulder are two buttons for presetting gimbal tilt positions and a knob to adjust the automatic tilt speed. Clicking the tilt paddle starts or stops recording on the GoPro and pressing both presets at the same time snaps a photo. The controller’s computer powers a built-in HDMI port, making live broadcast to nearly any type of screen as simple as connecting an HDMI cable. The computer also allows the controller to record 500 parameters of flight data to its internal memory as you fly, 10 times a second. Finally, the controller’s color display gives you contextual information about what’s going on in flight, eliminating the need to interpret blinking lights on the copter to get vital flight information, supplemented with haptic feedback—a gentle vibration that alerts you about critical things like a low battery and confirms all “long-press” actions (takeoff, land, set a gimbal preset, etc.). 

The Solo Smart Battery

The Solo Smart Battery not only monitors Solo’s remaining battery charge but also helps to account for location, so that the mobile app can give you relevant warnings about when to start heading home based on Solo’s distance from you. The battery communicates with Solo’s controller, which displays not only your remaining flight time but also your present power usage, for better and more informed battery management. If you’re cutting it too close, Solo’s controller will even begin vibrating to alert you of the need to land ASAP. 

Future expandability

Solo was built from the ground up to be future-proof. To accommodate future technologies and expansion options, we’ve included a gimbal bay, an accessory bay and easy-to-swap motor pods with integrated speed controllers. The gimbal bay enables other companies to make specific plug-and-play gimbals or imaging devices, providing these devices with the HD feed to Solo’s mobile app, full camera control and even access to Solo’s computing power. The accessory bay has similar functionality but is designed for accessories other than gimbal and imaging devices, such as an optical flow indoor flight stabilizer, ballistic parachute system, LED lighting system and many more. Finally, the swappable motor pods allow you to easily switch out motors in the field if necessary, and they also leave open the possibility for integrating upgraded propulsion systems for Solo in the future.

Industry-leading open platform

Even though Solo appears as a sleek, all-in-one system, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. 3DR proudly supports a vibrant community of global developers who are leading the way in commercial and consumer drone applications, and thanks to the company’s partnerships with industry giants like Qualcomm, Intel and the Linux Foundation, this shared open drone platform is evolving exponentially. Makers everywhere can now easily create their own apps for Solo (and the platform) through DroneKit—3DR’s open application development platform for drones—and even take them to market for free via 3DR Services. Our platform itself is stewarded by the international Dronecode Foundation, which welcomes and facilitates contributions of individuals and companies around the world. Solo is a unified instantiation of this extensible platform, which grows more useful by the day. And thanks to Solo’s usability and advanced processing potential, it’s one of the most important pieces, sure not only to drive innovation, but also to receive the benefits and deliver them to you.

“Made for Solo” program

3DR’s deep roots in the free and open software community have made us proud to offer open access to huge parts of our technology; this is why we’ve debuted the “Made for Solo” program, aimed at enabling small companies with great ideas to work directly with us and our manufacturing partners on developing and launching fantastic new accessories. Not only does this program make it easy for anyone to create new technology for Solo, it makes it easy for these companies to get their technology onto our retail partners’ shelves—and into your Solo.

World-class customer support

With a newly expanded support team of over 60 in-house technicians and a powerful new tech support solution built right into the app, 3DR is redefining what it means to offer world-class customer support. Solo keeps its own flight journal, continually logging information along over 500 parameters as it flies. You can analyze these files on your own, or instantly share them with our support team to aid in troubleshooting. Since Solo is continuously monitoring flight parameters in real time, if it suspects there’s been a problem, the mobile app will automatically offer the option of immediately submitting a service ticket via your mobile device. If the flight logs show Solo was lost or damaged due to a system error, 3DR will immediately repair or replace not only the drone, but the gimbal and the GoPro as well. In fact, we are so confident in the user experience that Solo offers, there’s even a limited 30-day satisfaction money-back guarantee. 

3DR - Solo - Photography Platform

3DR – Solo – Photography Platform

Availability

Solo will be available in over 2,000 retail locations worldwide starting in May in the U.S., and in June and July globally. In the U.S., Solo will launch at Best Buy, B&H, Samy’s Camera, Sport Chalet and many other premiere camera and electronics retailers. Throughout June and July, Solo will become available in 3DR-authorized premium retailers around the world, including Boulanger in France, Best Buy and London Drugs in Canada, Currys and Wex Camera in the U.K., Harvey Norman in Australia and Virgin Megastore and Dubai Duty Free in the U.A.E. Preorders for Solo will begin immediately.

Specs:

  • Flight time: up to 25 min without payload, or up to 20 min with GoPro and Solo Gimbal
  • Controller battery: Up to 4 hours; built-in rechargeable battery (8 hours with optional extended battery)
  • Weight: 1500 g; 1800 g with Solo Gimbal and GoPro
  • Autopilot: Pixhawk 2
  • Video latency: 180 ms
  • Wifi range: up to half a mile, depending on environment

The post 3DR (3D Robotics) Solo – New Drone Released with “Smart” Features appeared first on Air-Vid.com.

SOURCE: Air-Vid.com – Read entire story here.

DJI Inspire 1 T600 For Sale Soon?

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15 May

Here is a sneak peak at the new DJI Inspire 1 that was recently leaked from DJI!

The DJI Inspire 1 Shell:

The DJI Inspire 1 Light and 4K Camera:

Check out the teaser video here:

This is the most recent update as of November 6th!:

DJI leaks have been all over the place this week. Today we got another glimpse at what looks like their new DJI Inspire 1 T600 which has also been labeled as the DJI Phantom 3. It seems as though it is officially called the DJI Inspire 1 and rumor has it it will be a hexacopter with 60cm diagonal distance between rotors. Compared to the DJI Phantom this is about double the distance so we can only assume this will be a rather large drone. It also appears that the lightbridge will be included for the highest quality FPV

Hold tight for the 12th!!! We think this image below might be hinting at what is coming:

If you are as excited as we are about this new drone and haven’t started flying, we recommend you start with something small like a Hubsan X4 and then after you have mastered the flight of that upgrade to a DJI Phantom. From there you will be all set for this new DJI Inspire 1!

SOURCE: Ready Quadcopters: Latest News – Read entire story here.

DJI Inspire 1 Overview

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15 May

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There are times when technology pushes boundaries but whats really special is when boundaries are completely ignored and a new device completely redefines possibility. The DJI Inspire 1 is the world’s most advanced, all-in-one aerial filmmaking system. It all starts with the ready-to-fly, innovative design. The sleek, aerodynamic body is remarkably lightweight, especially when you consider the technology that is packed into it.

A smart flight controller, large propellers, and powerful motors make the Inspire 1 responsive and stable. During flight, the strong, lightweight carbon fiber arms raise up, transforming the Inspire 1’s shape and giving you a 360 degree view from the built in, stabilized camera.

The Inspire’s camera shoots in crystal-clear 4k video in 24, 25, and 26 frames per second and in 1080p in 24, 25, 30, 50, and 60 frames per second. It captures beautiful 12 megapixel stills and a 94 degree wide angle lense eliminates distortion and fills your imagery with crisp, vivid colors. The camera is detachable, allowing flexibility for future upgrades. The Inspire 1 also includes DJI’s 3 axis gimbal technology for world class camera stabilization. The Inspire 1’s camera rotates a full 360 degrees and tilts up and down 125 degrees, vastly expanding your options for creating content that truly reflects anything your mind’s eye can see.

A brand-new optical flow positioning system utilizes downward-facing sensors to stabilize the Inspire 1 when it is close to the ground. This means that the Inspire 1 can fly indoors with perfect position hold, and is able to hover stably at low altitudes even without a GPS signal. On the remote, sensitive control sticks make flying simple, easy and responsive. Ergonomic dials control gimbal movements and camera settings, while dedicated buttons allow instant photo capture and video recording.

Integrated DJI Lightbridge technology allows you to see what you are shooting, in HD, at a range of over 1km, so you can clearly see the details of your aerial perspecives as you capture them. Enabled by Lightbridge, the mobile app gives you a high-definition view of what the camera sees. It allows you to change camera settings and includes a full manual mode.

The Inspire 1 encourages collaborative creativity. By using a second controller at the same time, a dedicated operator can control where the camera is pointing as the pilot maneuvers the Inspire – allowing for precise aerial cinematography moves previously only available on larger platforms.

The DJI Inspire 1 seamlessly integrates groundbreaking aerial imaging technology into the expression of your wildest ideas, and you’ll redefine, again, what it means to explore aerial perspectives.

Preorders are HERE!!!!!!

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A COMPLETE READY-TO-FLY SYSTEM
Everything you need is included and ready to go offering you a complete aerial film making tool in a box. Just add a mobile device or screen for live HD view.

ADVANCED, READY-TO-FLY DESIGN
Imagine holding the future in your hands. Designed to be powerful while lightweight, flexible while providing the stability you need, the Inspire 1 is DJI’s most advanced complete package. All of the latest aerial technology is packed into one simple, ready-to-fly system, putting you in the sky within minutes.

TRANSFORMING DESIGN
Strong carbon fiber arms lift out of sight, transforming the way you shoot. Get a full, unrestricted 360° view of the world below and create images like never before.

4K CAMERA
Shoot up to 4K video and capture 12 megapixel photos with the Inspire 1 camera. The lens consists of 9 elements in 9 groups including an aspherical element producing extreme clarity, while Adobe DNG RAW support gives you the power to make every shot a masterpiece. Everything is better in 4K.

MODULAR, UPGRADEABLE SYSTEM
Inspire 1’s gimbal and camera system can be removed from the aircraft for safe transport and future upgrades.

LIVE HD VIEW
A real-time feed from your Inspire 1’s camera is displayed in 720p HD on your mobile device giving you a perfect view of what the camera sees to frame your shots.
This is made possible by an all new and improved version of DJI’s Lightbridge technology which can transmit video from up to 2km away.

CREATE TOGETHER
For an even greater level of precision, use a second remote controller and fly with a friend. With two operators controlling the same Inspire 1, one person pilots the flight path while the other aims the gimbal and camera.
Each user can have their own screen to see exactly what is being shot in real-time. By working in tandem, you’re capturing shots that are more complex and artistic than ever before.

FLY INDOORS AND WITHOUT GPS USING VISION POSITIONING SYSTEM
Indoor flight has always been a true test of skill for all levels of pilots. DJI’s new Optical Flow technology uses a specially designed camera as well as sonic waves to bring simplicity to flying indoors. This technology allows the Inspire to hold its position, stop when the controls are released, and respond to your commands even when GPS is unavailable.

INTELLIGENT POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A fully integrated intelligent battery powers your Inspire 1 and virtually manages itself.
When in flight, your remaining battery power is shown live, letting you know how long you can continue to fly. Advanced algorithms calculate the distance of your aircraft and estimated time to return home, letting you know when it’s time to fly back.
The battery tracks the voltage of each cell, the total lifetime charges and discharges, and the overall health and battery status. All this helps you keep your Inspire 1 in the air and flying for years to come.

DEDICATED CONTROLS
Take absolute control of your Inspire 1 with DJI’s most sophisticated remote controller to date. Featuring dedicated buttons for photo and video capture, a gimbal control dial, an integrated rechargeable battery and more, it’s easy and intuitive to fly. The controller has an HDMI and USB port allowing you to connect mobile devices or compatible screens.

OPTIONAL DUAL-OPERATOR CONTROL
Fly with a friend and share your vision. Achieve shots that never would have been possible alone by using two remote controllers. One person flies, while the other controls the camera.

EASY, SAFE FLIGHT
Even if you’ve never flown before, taking off and landing your Inspire 1 is easy and safe. It takes just one tap to make your Inspire 1 takeoff and transform, ready to start filming. Then tap again to have it transform into landing mode and land.
When GPS is available, the Home Point (the location you are standing) automatically refreshes, so your Inspire 1 always knows where you are even if you move around. When you tell it to come back, or in case of an emergency, it knows exactly where to go and land safely.

FULL-FEATURED APP
Take complete control of your camera and flight system with a comprehensive mobile app. Everything from manual camera controls to flight telemetry and even auto takeoff and landing are just a tap away, with more functions and updates coming soon.

SOURCE: Ready Quadcopters: Latest News – Read entire story here.

Walkera Scout X4 vs DJI Phantom 2

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15 May

photo credit: https://tasview.wordpress.com/

The DJI Phantom 2 and the Walkera Scout X4 are going to be the hottest RTF quadcopters on the market this holiday season so we wanted to put together a full list so you can learn about all the different specs and how they match up. We wanted to keep this fairly high level so you can get the essential information you need to make an informed decision on which model you decide to end up with.

For this comparison we are going to focus on the DJI Phantom 2 with Zenmuse gimbal for the GoPro as we feel this will be the most comparable model. If you aren’t familiar with the different DJI phantom models then go ahead and check out our overview here. On the other side we will be comparing this model with the Walkera Scout X4 RTF version. For both models you will need to purchase a GoPro separately to get the results we talk about and is the common denominator as it provides the best video quality.

The general TLDR of this post is summed up by the Walkera Scout X4 is more powerful than the Phantom and also comes with some more goodies. That being said it is also more expensive.

First let’s see what is included in the box.

In The Box

The Walkera Scout X4

As you can see from the boxing this comes with everything you need to get started. The pice that is pretty cool is the controller that the Scout X4 comes with – it is a Devo F12E that has an LCD screen on it for FPV. What this means is that you will be able to fpv without the need for an iOS or Android device like the Phantom 2. You can literally open everything up and fly FPV right out of the box (of course you will have to have the the GoPro as well). As you can see from the pictures it comes with all the essentials.

We will get into how all these things work together in the next section.

The DJI Phantom 2 with Zemuse Gimball

The DJI Phantom 2 with the Gimball comes with everything you need to fly with as well. It comes with all the essentials. The thing that it doesn’t include is the GoPro as we mentioned before.

Features & Differences

These two models are very similar but the Walkera Scout X4 has a few extra features than the Phatom 2. Here we will highlight the differences.

1. The Walkera comes with a retractable landing gear. What this means is that once you are in the air with the Walkera you will be able to move the legs up and out of the view of the camera. This allows for a larger landing gear on the quadcopter to avoid any sort of tipping over when landing on an uneven surface. The Phantom owners have complained about this in the past. With DJI Phantom having a fixed landing gear it has to be small to stay out of the view of the camera.

2. FPV. The Walkera Scout X4 comes with the ability to FPV through the GoPro right out of the box. With it’s slick controller you will be able to see everything right there from what the GoPro is seeing. For the DJI Phantom you will need to purchase and install a bridge that will allow you to FPV. For viewing the FPV with the Phantom you will also need some sort of display which you usually need to purchase separately. Depending on the gear you go with sometimes you can use your iPhone or Android device. Again we are focusing on the Gimball version of the Phantom for GoPro – The DJI Phantom 2 Vision and Vision + come with the ability to FPV out of the box through your iOS or Android device.
The general consensus has been that doing FPV through a GoPro is historically a bit laggy which is why the true FPVers will use a second non GoPro camera to FPV for the fastest video link. This being said, with new technology coming out every day, the FPV from the GoPro is really pretty solid these days. As long as you aren’t flying at full speed through trees you should be fine.

3. Ground Station. The Walkera Scout X4 comes with this which basically allows you to control your flight path from an ipad that is on the ground. With the DJI Phantom you will need to purchase their Bluetooth Datalink in order to accomplish this same functionality.

4. Size & Power. As you can see from the photo at the top of this post the Walkera stands taller and is a bit larger than the Phantom 2. The overall review is that the Walkera is a bit more powerful than the Phantom as well. What this means for you: You will be able to be a little more agile with the Walkera and be able to power out of tight situations if you get into them!

5. Add Ons. The one really cool thing about the Scout X4 is that it allows you to add extra motors and rotors to increase it to 8 of each. This will give the quad more power and allow you to attach larger cameras. We think this is kind of a side note but interesting for sure! You will commonly see this setup referred to as the Scout X8.
As mentioned before the add on you will need for the Phantom is a bridge in order to FPV with the GoPro as well as a screen to view that with. We like the FatShark to do so as it comes with everything and is fairly easy to attach.

Similarities

The rest of the stuff is pretty standard if you have been paying attention to the DJI Phantom recently. There are some cool features like GPS stability, and a really nice 25 minute battery life.

Both are fairly easy to learn how to fly. They come with instructions on how to fly and get thing started up. If you haven’t learned how to fly a quadcopter yet, we highly highly recommend you start with something small. After you learn to fly on that then either the DJI Phantom or the Walkera Scout X4 will be a breeze to fly since there is so much assistance of these advanced machines.

Companies & Readily Available information

Lucky for you, both of these companies have been building quadcopters for a while so you can trust the product that they have put out. DJI definitely has the upper hand when it comes to information out there regarding the Phantom. The Phantom has been out for over a year now so any sort of DIY or tutorials will be available at RCGroups and on many other websites. Since the Walkera Scout X4 is a new quadcopter, there definitely isn’t as much info available yet online. Once this model gets settled in as main stream we will start to see those, but expect to do a lot of digging to figure out solutions to any unanswered questions you have.

Price

The most important part!

The new Scout X4 will run you $1,399 For updated pricing check here

The Phantom 2 with Zenmuse Gimbal will run you $959

Conclusion

As we said at the beginning, we hope this gives you a high level overview of what you are getting yourself into with the purchase of either of these drones. What it comes down to is really what you are looking for. If you are looking for a more powerful platform with all accessories included then the Walkera is what you are looking for. If you are looking to start with an awesome proven platform that you can slowly add to?…then the DJI Phantom 2 is what you want. Overall in terms of just getting up and running… the DJI Phantom is a little more polished coming out of the box but the Scout has more features. You can’t go wrong with either of these!

Interested?

Check out the Walkera Scout X4 Here for the most up to date pricing

Check out the DJI Phantom 2 Here for the most up to date pricing

So what model are you going to go with?

SOURCE: Ready Quadcopters: Latest News – Read entire story here.

Drone for Sale – The Best Drones for Sale 2015

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15 May

Parrott Bebop

It has been an exciting time in the drone industry as many of the big players have been releasing some awesome new drones for sale. If you are curious about getting a drone but aren’t quite sure where to start then this guide will be right for you. We hope to highlight the best drones for sale at the moment and help guide you as to what might be the right fit for you.

We wanted to put this guide together for you as we’ve seen a lot of very spammy content out there. Disclaimer: We do carry some of the drones that we mention below but we also pride ourselves in only carrying the best. We are true to what we say and want to make sure you have the best information.

When purchasing a drone there are some things you want to take into consideration before you purchase. These are simple things like what size you want, do you want a camera on it, how long a flight time do you want, how durable is it, etc. Before we get started there are different terms for drones that most people use. Quadcopter is a popular term as well as multirotor, all this simply means is that it has multiple propellers to fly the drone. (we have this term used interchangeably throughout this site)

For this guide we are going to split it up between micro drones and larger sized drones. Micro drones are great because they are relatively inexpensive, you can fly them inside and outside no problem, and you can’t do too much damage when you are learning to fly. The larger drones are much more advanced, are big enough to carry a gopro/camera, and should be flown much more carefully as they are more expensive. We are going to highlight all drones for sale that come ready to fly right out of the box.

To be honest – For any of the drones below you really cant go wrong. We try to highlight some good things but, as any drone enthusiast will tell you, it all comes down to personal preference. You will typically start with one and then try another one. The main difference will be power and size and how long you can stay in the air. The rest is all personal preference.

Micro Drones for Sale

These guys are all small drones, like fit in the palm of your hand size. Rotor to rotor these are no longer than about 7″ apart with some of them being much smaller. Some of these have options to get cameras on them but the cameras are typically low quality compared to something bigger with an attached GoPro.

#5 Walkera Ladybird – $54.99

Walkera Ladybird Quadcopter Drone

The Walkera Ladybird has been around for a while and is a relatively fun micro drone as it comes with different body covers that you can put on it. It is a little bigger than the other micro drones, actually very similar to the Syma X1. This is very popular because the price point seems to be a bit lower than most mini drones. It does have the advanced 6 Axis gyro controlled system which makes it very stable during flight and very easy to fly. Beyond being very stable, it is very fast and maneuverable and we love how it flies.

#4 Syma X1 – $35.99

Syma X1

The Syma X1 is a great starter drone and is the cheapest of our lineup. It is a little larger than the other ones in our list but it runs very stable and is hard to break. For the price point you really can’t go wrong starting with this rc quadcopter. We would really recommend this to anyone who wants to start with a little bigger quad and needs it to be cheap! The other great thing is there is a fairly large following for this particular drone so if you have any questions you can usually find them out online. Parts are cheap and it is hard to break.

#3 RC Logger Eye One – $39

RC Logger Eye One

They RC Logger Eye One is a fairly new drone for sale. For the price we think this mini drone is best bang for your buck. For the price point you really can’t go wrong starting with this mini drone. We would really recommend this to anyone who wants to start with a small drone and work their way up. While this is a great drone it definitely doesn’t have the following of something higher on our list. RC Logger is a fairly new company, but their products are good!

#2 Blade Nano QX – $89.99

Blade Nano QX

The nano QX is a great little drone. It has multiple flight modes which makes it great to start out. In the stability mode you have the quad throttled back a bit so you can’t go super fast in any direction. In Agility mode you have the option to do flips and can really push the drone to its limits. The other thing about this drone is it is smaller than #3-5 and is roughly 5 inches from rotor to rotor. Having prop guards already installed is big and definitely saves you from broken propellers, however, sometimes these prop guards do hook on things and can get the drone stuck.

#1 Hubsan X4 – $48.99

Hubsan X4 H107L Quadcopter Drone

This Hubsan X4 H107L is a bulletproof mini drone and one that we personally love and the most cost effective starter drone on the market today. (which is why we carry it) It will take plenty of damage and keep on ticking which is why we love it! This mini drone is recommended for beginners as well as advanced fliers as it is fairly easy to learn on and super fun to fly. Whether you want to fly it inside or outside it will do well for any type of environment. The best thing is that you can switch from beginner to advanced mode with just the click of the control stick. The one thing we recommend is getting the prop guard and extra props as they do pop off fairly easily and are small enough that you can lose them. If you want to learn how to fly this guy, check out our post
here.

Larger Drones for Sale

Most of the bigger drones listed below have some sort of camera and are becoming more and more specialized for taking photos from the air.

#5 Parrot BeBop – $899

Parrot Bebop Drone

This is the newest and most technologically advanced drones for sale. It is derived from the original Parrot AR.Drone and you can control the drone from an iOS or Android device. You can also opt in for a Skycontroller which allows you to have a real joystick control (recommended), HDMI output, extended range, and a few other great features. It comes with a 14 megapixel camera with 180 degree field of view fisheye lens that is in the drone body. They use anti distortion software to broadcast a smooth view to your devise and can take awesome pictures. There are a few issues with this because there is lag when it does so so it would be hard to fly quickly through tight areas only by the video alone. This is a fun toy but would not be a real drone enthusiast’s favorite.

#4 Walkera Scout X4 – $1599

Walkera Scout X4

I am actually really impressed with this new drone from Walkera. It truly is the drone that came to compete with the DJI Phantom and definitely does so. It comes jam packed with a lot of features that you would need to add on to the DJI Phantom like ability to FPV from the GoPro camera. It has lots of cool features like being able to control your flight from a ground station and automatically tell it where to go. We are very impressed with this drone and you will definitely start to see this as a solid drone for your GoPro and has more power than most of the other ones on here. Only time will tell how this stacks up over the long run. See how it stacks up against the DJI Phantom 2 here.

#3 3DR IRIS – $750

3DR Iris with GoPro

The 3D Robotics IRIS is a good platform if you want to modify and add to your drone. It has a massive list of features and really allows you to tinker and modify. It has things like auto-pilot features and GPS waypoint flight control. You have the option to add a brushless gimbal for your GoPro in order to have a super smooth video platform. This is definitely a technical drone and wouldn’t be the best for a beginner or someone who needs Apple like instructions for figuring things out.

#2 DJI Inspire 1 – $2899

DJI Inspire 1

This is the most advanced drone on the market. It’s design is amazing and the legs actually raise up when in flight to give the camera below it a 360 degree view. It has HD video streaming from up to amile away, 4k video recording, GPS waypoint flying, dual pilot operation, optical flow stabilization, and a 50mph top speed. This is the ultimate platform for filming anything from the sky. If you go with the option of two controllers you can actually have someone controlling the drone and the other person controlling the camera. The only reason that this is not our top choice is just purely on price. If you really want the best, this is it.

#1 DJI Phantom 2 – $959

DJI Phantom 2 with GoPro

This is the best and most popular drone for sale right now. The DJI Phantom is the easiest to use and has the largest group of enthusiasts. Not only is it a great drone for beginners but it is also one of the most solid platforms for taking pictures and video from the sky. It has one of the longest flight times of all the drones at around 20 – 30 minutes on a single charge. There is a huge community that can help out with any of your questions and their prices seem to continue to come down. They give you a bunch of different options like attaching a GoPro or getting one that comes with a built in camera. You can’t go wrong with this one. Check out how to learn to fly
here.

SOURCE: Ready Quadcopters: Latest News – Read entire story here.

DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ Review and How to Fly

Posted on by admin
Image img-2050.jpg
15 May

The DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ is awesome!!! If you haven’t flown one of these things, I highly recommend it. We wanted to show you exactly what you get with this platform so you can be as excited as us when you start flying.

One of the things about it is the amount of technology that comes with it. When first starting with quadcopters we always recommend you start with something small like the Hubsan X4 to learn to fly these things. Reason for this is the fact that the controls are a bit hard to learn without crashing. You don’t want to take out a $1k+ machine and crash it right away. The thing is when you fly a micro quadcopter, there is no GPS stabilization or any other technology to help you fly. With the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ it has all the bells and whistles to not only let you fly confidently and stably but to also take some awesome photos.

First things first. Make sure you charge up the battery and controller before you take it out. In the below example we had already done that before taking it out. Also, on your mobile device, make sure you download the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ app.

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Box

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Unboxing

Go ahead and put in the batteries into your controller.

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Unboxing

Below is everything that should be in your box – everything you need to fly!

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Unboxing

Once you have everything on your Phantom 2 Vision+ all charged up and the batteries are in, go ahead and put on the propellers and follow the directions! Make sure when you are putting the propellers on that they are on the correct place. You will see a little picture on the propeller letting you know which way to spin in order to tighten them. Also, on each arm of the quadcopter you will see the little picture saying which way that the propeller should spin. Just note that the different propellers will have a different color (Black or Silver on the top) so you can easily identify the different blades. The same color propellers should be diagonally opposite of each other.

Also make sure to take off the little protective covers on the camera. Follow the instructions to make sure the compass is correctly calibrated. Once this happens you will want to make sure that the Phantom can see at least 3 satellites for GPS coordinates. (Just simply place it in an open area until the lights on the back arms flash green) *Note THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Do not fly without a good GPS connection or else you risk needing to fly manually which makes it much more difficult. (GPS assist really really helps)

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus in the Box

After you have thrown on the propellers go ahead and turn on your Phantom. You will need to push the button on the battery once and then press it again for 2 seconds until all the lights turn on green. Go ahead and turn on the controller as well as the range extender on the top of the controller. With your mobile device, go ahead and connect to the wifi signal that is being produced by your DJI Phantom. Once you do that you can open up the app and it will tell you everything you need to know about the quadcopter which is amazing. At this point you are ready to fly!

The great thing about this quadcopter is it truly is easy to fly! Go ahead and place it on a flat surface and stand a bit away from it. Spike your left joystick up to full power until your quadcopter gets into the air. (Don’t be scarred, it does make a good amount of noise!) Once you are up in the air the GPS assist will hold your quadcopter wherever you leave it. So if you put it up 20 feet in the air it will just hover there.

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Flying

You will have about 25 minutes of flying time, so make sure you get the most of it! The camera is great and you can get some great quality photos like the one below. There is a slight delay with what you are seeing on your smartphone vs. what the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ is doing so I recommend you don’t just fly that way. (Also known as FPV) Once you have the shot framed you can go ahead and just snap photos straight from the app!

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Photo Golden Gate Bridge

Overall this quadcopter is awesome! The next steps in any new toy are to get a carrying case and some more batteries, obviously. It is honestly remarkably easy to fly since it is so stable with the GPS assist. If you are really interested, we have a few options available here. For the most part the Vision+ will take care of everything you would want in a quadcopter, however, if the best possible video and pictures is your goal, we would recommend you get the Phantom 2 with the Zenmuse Gimbal for the best quality video with a GoPro attached.

Got any comments or questions? Follow up below and we will try to answer those for you!

SOURCE: Ready Quadcopters: Latest News – Read entire story here.

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Videos and Photos

Posted on by admin
Image img-3529.jpg
15 May

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus San Francisco

The DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus is just so awesome. If you are really looking to get into drones and quadcopters then this is really what you are looking for. It gives you everything you need right out of the box and is incredibly easy to fly due to the GPS coordinate system. If you are an amateur photographer and just want a ready to go system, then do this.

We’ve been getting questions about what to start off with. Well first off we really recommend you start off with a Hubsan X4 to really get your bearings when flying a drone. Since it’s only around $50 you can really afford to crash a few times. (hint – get the prop guard). Good thing about learning on the Hubsan X4 is it is a full manual flight. Once you graduate up to the DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus then it is much more technologically advanced and actually easier to fly with all the assisted help. Reason you want to be able to fly manual is just in case and you can safely land your $1200+ DJI Drone.

We wanted to provide some great pictures from the DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus so you will have a good understanding of the quality of the camera. Granted, this camera isn’t up to par with the GoPro but it is pretty close. So if you are absolutely looking for the highest quality video we recommend you go with the DJI Phantom 2 with the Gimball. The trade off is that you won’t be able to take pictures and video right from your phone unless you purchase the DJI Lightbridge which will allow you to connect and “see” what the GoPro is seeing. (more $$$)

We recommend the DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus to anyone looking for everything out of the box and that doesn’t require the highest highest quality from the camera. Truthfully the camera is pretty good on the Vision Plus! See what we got below and enjoy!

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Picture

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Flight Picture

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Picture

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Picture San Francisco

Drone Photo Golden Gate Bridge

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus Photo Golden Gate Bridge

If you are serious about the DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus then check out our review of it here. If you are curious how it stacks up against the Walkera Scout X4 then check out our post on DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus vs Walkera Scout X4. Finally if you still aren’t sure what kind of drone you want to get then check out our review of the top large and small drones of 2015.

SOURCE: Ready Quadcopters: Latest News – Read entire story here.

FPV Racing Extras

Posted on by John Reid
Image Boron_FPV_Racing-4407-82x55.jpg
15 May

Check out some of the behind the scenes photos from our FPV racing article


Where do you go from here?

FPV racing at this time is mainly a grassroots type of organization.  Races are generally organized by a group of people who all get together on the weekend and start flying. Check with local clubs and quad groups in your area.  But there are a couple of places on the web that you can check out for more for information.

www.fpvracing.tv

www.rcgroups.com/fpv-racing-926

www.charlottefpv.com

http://www.gameofdrones.com

There are also some Facebook groups that you can visit

https://www.facebook.com/CopterRacing?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/aerialgpeurope?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FPVracing/

If you like to add your FPV racing club to this list please add it to the comments below.

SOURCE: Rotor Drone – Read entire story here.

Shooting from above

Posted on by John Reid
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15 May

Now that you have your drone and have mastered flying it, what’s next? Logically, the next step for most people is to mount a camera on their drone. While this seems like it would be an easy thing to do, you will soon find there are several choices out there for camera equipment. Of course, your camera requirements will be different from those of your other multirotor pilot friends. But you still have to decide what type of photography you want to do. Here is a great article on how to get into photography from above. Click on a the camera below to find out more.

Camera

SOURCE: Rotor Drone – Read entire story here.

Join us at the Robo Universe Conference and Expo!

Posted on by Erica Driver
Image Robo-universe-300x200.jpg
15 May

RoboUniverse Hits NYC on May 11-13 at the Javits Convention Center

RoboUniverse Conference and Expo, the first global tradeshow series for the service robotics industry, is set to launch in New York City on May 11-13, and we’ve partnered with the event to offer our readers an exclusive discount!

When: May 11-13, 2015

Where: Javits Convention Center, New York, NY

In addition to a half day of interactive workshops, and five inspiring keynotes from industry leaders, the agenda for RoboUniverse New York will feature four vertical tracks exploring various facets of this high-growth industry.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers Include:

  • Rodney Brooks, Founder, Chairman and CTO, Rethink Robotics
  • Dan Kara, Practice Director, ABI Research
  • Vijay Kumar, PhD, UPS Foundation Professor, University of Pennsylvania
  • Robin Murphy, Raytheon Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University and Director, Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue and the Center for Emergency Informatics
  • Stephen Wolfram, Founder & CEO, Wolfram Research, Creator, Mathematica, Wolfram|Alpha & the Wolfram Language and Author, A New Kind of Science

See the full agenda here.

Robo universe

RoboUniverse New York will also feature a Driverless Cars Conference and the RoboGameChanger Startup Competition.

Interested in attending? Get an additional 10% OFF when you register with the discount code ROTORDRONE. Register now!

RotorDrone Magazine has partnered with RoboUniverse Conference and Expo as they head to NYC next week! Join us on May 11-13 at the Javits Convention Center.
Rd fb post for Robo universe

SOURCE: Rotor Drone – Read entire story here.