Category: Drone and Robotics

DJI Spark Drone is the Size of a Small Phone and Costs US $ 500

DJI has launched a brand new compact drone called the Spark, the drone had leaked in images earlier this year. The new drone has some interesting features and may be great drone for first time drone owners.

The Spark has a 2 axis gimbal and shoots video at 1080p resolutions, in comparison with the DJI Mavic the drone has lesser resolution. However, the drone can be controlled with hand gestures and also features the ability to be flown directly from the DJI app on your smartphone, without the need of a controller.

The DJI Spark has a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor that captures 12 megapixel photos, and most of the fight systems are controlled by the forward-facing 3D Sensing System, dual-band GPS and GLONASS, a high-precision inertial measurement unit, and 24 powerful computing cores built into the tiny Spark .

The spark offers 16 minutes of flight time with Lithium polymer battery, and can be flown with the Remote controller accessory. While the Spark starts at US $500 in the United States and other markets, in India, the retail price of a DJI Spark, including an aircraft, a battery, a USB charger and three pairs of propellers, is INR 43,000.

The Spark Fly More Combo includes an aircraft, two batteries, four pairs of propellers, a remote controller, propeller guards, a charging hub, a shoulder bag and all necessary cables, with a retail price of INR 60,000.

May 25, 2017
DJI’s new Drone The Spark is 50% Smaller Than The Mavic

While the Mavic is just about launching in India (our video will be out shortly), A new DJI drone seems to have leaked which is more than 50% smaller than the DJI Mavic. The drone will apparently be called the Spark and images seems to be floating on the Chinese forums.

Unlike the Mavic the Spark seems to have fixed arms and may aim to take on the beginner drone market at a relatively budget price. The camera shown on the Spark also seems to be different from the Mavic, to the extent that it does not Pan left to right, but only tilts up or down. Due to the compact nature of the drone, panning could be achieved by simply rotating the drone.

Could this simply be a selfie drone, or something that could be gesture controlled like the Phantom pro or Mavic pro? While details for the drone remain sketchy a whole host of video and images have leaked for the DJI Spark. Also unknown is whether the drone will use a controller or simply be controlled by WiFi using a smartphone or a tablet.

April 7, 2017
DJI Mavic, One Ups The GoPro Karma in Size and Portability

DJI has just launched the Mavic, a personal drone with 4k video capabilities. The drone folds down into a very compact size and can be flown for as long as 27 minutes, The DJI Mavic also has some of the features we saw with the DJI Phantom 4, including follow mode and obstacle avoidance.

What DJI has managed to achieve with the Mavic is pretty interesting, a stabilized 4K camera and a visual navigation system, with a 4.3 mile (7 km) range and 27 minute flight time.

Mavic Pro can be switched to Sport Mode, which allows speeds of up to 40 mph (64.8 kph),which is crazy fast for what aims to be a personal drone.

You also get, auto takeoff and land features along with return to home system based on GPS, similar to previous drones from DJI.

The DJI Mavic Pro can be flown with it’s time remote, which can operate with or without an attached phone as a display or simply using a phone and or tablet over WiFi.

The new Terrain Follow mode on the DJI Mavic Pro allows you to race up a slope behind a subject while remaining at a constant height between 1 ft (0.3 m) and 33 ft (10 m). The new Tripod Mode is designed for indoor use, slowing and fine-tuning Mavic Pro’s position and angle based on controller movement inputs.

The Mavic will be sold for US $ 999 for the Drone and Remote, if you want you can purchase just the Mavic Pro, without a remote, for $749. DJI Mavic Pro Fly More Combo, which includes a Mavic Pro, two extra Intelligent Flight Batteries, extra propellers, a charging hub, an adapter, a car charger and a shoulder bag, will be available for $1,299. The DJI Mavic Pro goes on Sale Oct 15th, and you can pre-order it on DJI’s website today

September 28, 2016
GoPro Launches Hero 5 and Karma Drone

GoPro may have led the action camera market since the inception of the brand, but the launch of their new Karma drone has had the whole world excited for a long time.

The Hero 5 Black is the latest camera to be added to GoPro’s Lineup. The new action camera comes with a  2-inch Touch Display will capture  Video Resolutions up to 4K at 30 Frames per Second. You also get still images with a resolution of  12MP. A new feature will enable auto-upload of photos and video to cloud when camera is charging

GoPro Hero 5 includes voice control with support for 7 Languages . This is also the first GoPro camera to be waterproof without an additional housing, and it does that till 33 Feet (10m)

The Gopro Hero 5 works with existing GoPro mounts and the new Karma drone. Stereo Audio Recording and Advanced Wind Noise Reduction is added for better video sound capture. Electronic Video Stabilization and a Distortion-Free Wide Angle Video and Photos with New Linear-View Setting

The GoPro Hero 5 will capture RAW and WDR Photo Modes and has inbuilt GPS.

GoPro

The Karma Drone is something the company has been teasing for a while, the drone comes with a stabalization handle and the company is calling it a complete system. The drone comes in a backpack case and travels with its propellors and landing gear folded. You can remove the camera and Gimbal from the Karma Drone and install it on the Karma handle for a stabilised hand held video experience.

The Karma handle can then be mounted using GoPro mounting attachments on various things like helmets, bikes and cars.

Features include :

A game-style controller features an integrated touch display, making it fun, fast and easy to fly without the need for a separate phone or tablet to see what your drone sees.

The 3-axis camera stabilizer can be removed from the drone and attached to the included Karma Grip for capturing ultra-smooth handheld and gear-mounted footage.

Karma will be available October 23rd in the following bundles:

·      Karma without a GoPro camera for $799.99 MSRP

·      Karma bundled with HERO5 Black for $1099.99 MSRP

·      Karma bundled with HERO5 Session for $999.99 MSRP (available in early 2017)

September 20, 2016
Dominos Just made a Pizza Delivery Robot

With a large number of pizzas delivered each day, one would think dominos would scale up technology to make the production of Pizzas more efficient, not deliveries. It looks like the future is filled with drones and Robots. The new robot known as DRU (Domino’s Robotic Unit) can travel at about 12 mph and can easily handle varied terrain though it’s not designed for major road use.

Think of deliveries happening in remote areas. The Pizza remains safe and hot and is only unlocked by a special mobile code sent to the recipient of the order. Wath the demo video below.

DRU uses a LIDAR sensory system that allows the unit to detect obstacles in its path and change its route accordingly. It measures objects and distance by illuminating them with a laser light. Each unit also comes equipped with traditional sensors that detect obstructions at close range, just like a robot vacuum cleaner.

It weighs approximately 190kg and has a maximum height of 1185mm (922mm with the compartment closed.) The body is constructed of ABS and urethane plastics, the lenses are made using PMMA (acrylic) plastics and the internal chassis is finished using aluminium and mild steel. It is water tight and weather proof.

March 19, 2016