GoPro is reportedly looking to expand its business by developing consumer drones.
People familiar with the situation say the goal is to begin selling multi-rotor helicopters in late 2015, according to the Wall Street Journal. They added that the machines will be able to capture photos with high-definition cameras and will cost between $500 and $1,000.
The decision to join the consumer drone craze would give GoPro the chance to make improvements to its offerings, which focus mostly on wearable video cameras for surfers and extreme sports fans. These cameras are available on GoPro's website and from Best Buy and other large retailers, and they come with a price tag ranging from $200 to $500.
A spokesman for GoPro said in an email recently that customers have been attaching their cameras to quadcopters to capture "jaw-dropping GoPro footage." The spokesman added that GoPro teamed up with the Small UAV Coalition, a drone advocacy group in Washington, earlier this year to understand the policies for using drones and to preserve the rights of its users.
The move comes at a time when companies in different fields, such as filmmaking, mining and construction, are also using drones for work, The Wall Street Journal reported. However, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned the commercial use of such technology in the U.S., and the agency is expected to propose new rules for commercial drone use in December.
Getting involved in the commercial drone game would pit GoPro against several competitors, such as SZ DJI Technology, the biggest manufacturer of consumer drones in the world, PC Magazine reported. The Chinese firm recently started selling drones that come with the company's custom-developed cameras.
In the meantime, GoPro fans looking for a new camera this Holiday season can get the $250 GoPro HERO3+ Silver edition, which comes with a free $50 Target gift card.
