As if there weren't already enough ways for people to take selfies and record their every move, Squadrone System is introducing another one: a semi-autonomous aerial drone called HEXO+, which is being marketed to athletes of extreme sports who want to film their stunts from a bird's eye view.
The helicopter-based drone accomplishes its maneuverability by predicting a user's movements and adapting to situations for optimum filming with the help of anticipatory algorithms and a protocol called MAVLink that communicates with a user's Android or iOS smartphone.
Enthusiasts operate the drone via the included app to define the filming perspective and adjust the height, angle and distance. After receiving the settings, the drone takes off automatically, hovers in its position and waits for its user to move. Then it moves along with him, automatically maintaining proper framing, Gizmag reported. The machine keeps track of a user's GPS coordinates as well as the position of the user's phone to "know" where he is at any given time.
The drone has a battery life of 15 minutes, can fly up to 45 miles per hour and employs six rotors that help it stabilize enough for the camera to record high-speed movements, Fox News reported. The drone also has a 2-axis gimbal mount for a GoPro actioncam.
Squadrone Systems initially sought $50,000 in funding for the HERO+ Kickstarter campaign launched on Monday. So far, the company has raised a whopping $450,000, and fundraising will continue for the next 28 days.
A complete package costs $700 and includes the drone, the GoPro camera, the gimbal pilot and the iPhone app. There's also a $600 package that does not include the camera, and a do-it-yourself package (camera not included) that costs $300, but must be assembled, Fox News reported.
"Drone technology doesn't need to stay in the hands of only professionals," said company founder Xavier de la Rue, a snowboarder and self-proclaimed action sports moviemaker. "We want to make aerial filming accessible to everyone."
