Tag: drone

SKYEYE Nano Drone is the Smallest QuadCopter Yet

Drones are the newest thing technology has to offer right now. From delivering pizzas to being used in disaster management, drones are slowly playing an indispensable role in society. With technology getting smaller day after day, it wont be surprising if one day you could just carry around a drone in your pocket. Yes, TRNDLabs, which specialises in developing unique and innovative products, have successfully built the world’s smallest drone called ‘SKYEYE Nano Drone’.

With dimensions measuring less than 2-inches at 1.57″ x 1.57″ x 0.87″, the quadcopter comes in three different modes: Beginner, Advance and Seasoned Flight Veteran. The bright orange coloured drone is equipped with RTF (Ready-to-Fly) technology and six-axis flight control system with adjustable gyro sensitivity. The most awesome feature of this device is the Aerobic Flip capability and possesses LED lights for night time flight.

It is powered by a 100mAh Li-Polymer battery and takes approximately 30 minutes to charge fully. On a full charge, its flight time is up to 7-8 minutes. TRNDLabs also said that if thrown into the air while throttling up, the drone will self-stabilize. The device’s remote has a coverage up to 50 metres.

The SKEYE Nano Drone is billed at $60 but is currently retailing at a promo price of $34.99 (Rs.2,200). You can order SKYEYE Nano drone from here. The company offers free shipping to anywhere in the world.

May 18, 2015
Here’s How Drones Are Helping Search for Earthquake Survivors in Nepal

Nepal was hit by one of the most dangerous earthquakes, with the death toll rising more than 6,000 and many more missing. The quake toppled most of their buildings, from where people and dead bodies are still being removed. Technology has played an important role in managing the after-disaster effect. From Google’s Person Finder and Facebook’s donation drive to major telecom operators proving cheaper or free services, technology is doing its best to help Nepal regain its losses.

Drones are playing an indispensable role in the search mission to inaccessible areas. Experts of Etobicoke, Ontario-based GlobalMedic, which manages Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAV) have already sent a fleet to the Himalayas. The drones are now aerially mapping the crisis-hit area and compiling the images into maps. A GlobalMedic spokeswoman says searching for survivors becomes very much extensive using drones. For now, the organization is using three high-end drones built by Aeryon Labs and are controlled by a touch-screen interface. These are equipped with thermal cameras that come in handy while locating for people under rubble or snow.

Other than the drones, crowdsourcing maps is another important tech that is being used right now in Nepal. This mapping works by calculating distances and plot-driving routes using satellite imagery, private images and open-source mapping technology to re-map areas that are affected by the earthquake. All damaged structures and difficult areas are marked, thus making it easier for rescue workers to engage through less dangerous routes. 48 hours after the earthquake hit Nepal, 2,000 online mappers made three million edits. This tech was first used during the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

Read more about how Facebook, Google, and major telecom services played their part in helping Nepal at this time of crisis here.

Click here to see the aftermath of the Nepal Earthquake.

May 3, 2015
Meet Phantom 3, The Newest Drone in the DJI Family

DJI has just announced its latest camera-equipped quad-copter, the DJI Phantom 3. The drone, which is capable of an autonomous flight, has more upgrades than its predecessor. The Phantom 2 is more powerful, lasts longer, takes better quality pictures and videos and has a new remote and a revamped app.

The most important part of the drone is the camera. There are two versions of the Phantom 3: the Professional version that takes 12MP and 4K video, and the other, the Advanced version, that takes 12MP and 1080p video. The 4K video records in 24, 25 and 30FPS while the 1080p goes up to 60FPS. Both ditched the distorted fish-eye images to give proper flat images in DNG RAW or JPG format.

Phantom 3’s Predecessor, came with a more powerful battery.

As for the quad-copter, DJI says they have upgraded the Phantom 3 by adding more efficient and powerful motors that can accelerate or decelerate faster than the Phantom 2. Spec sheets read that it can travel up to 58 kmph with a maximum ascent speed of 21 kmph and a maximum decent speed of 6 kmph. It weighs 1280g and its only drawback is that it comes with a less powerful battery (4480mAh, as compared to 5200mAh of the Phantom 2). Although the company claims that it manages to offer the same flight time of 23 minutes.

GPS-assisted features include the IOC (Intelligent Orientation Control) that allows continuous transmission to the pilot regardless of the direction the drone is pointing at, automatic Return Home or the Panic button which allows the craft to return if the communication is lost. The ability to hover at a fixed point is a crucial feature for aerial filmmaking. Phantom has also introduced the Optical Flow Sensor, inspired by the Inspire 1, which combines a ground-facing camera that takes sonar photographs whenever it is too close to the ground or if the GPS is lost. This prevents it from getting crushed.

The Advance DJI Phantom 3 is priced at $999 (Rs. 62,167), and the Professional DJI Phantom 3 is priced at $1,259 (Rs. 78,347). Its availability has not been confirmed yet but according to Engadget, the drone will be released within the next few weeks.

April 9, 2015
As Promised OnePlus Unveils its New Drone, the DR-1

Just a few days back we got news from OnePlus that it would be bringing a drone to its line-up of products. Today the company did bring out the drone, and many claim that it is an April Fool’s prank. However, we just placed an order for two.

OnePlus created a fantastic product website for DR-1. It talks about the features of the new drone which includes the ability to fly higher than any other drone in the market and a simple controller.

The website also has a 30 second teaser video for the product with some sexy graphics. At the end of the video, you get a clear indication that the DR-1 is nothing but a toy with OnePlus branding on it.

A few lucky fans of OnePlus will get to own this remote controlled toy. All you need to do is go on Facebook, fill up a simple form and tag two friends. Even though it isn’t a full-fledged drone that some of you must have been hoping for; you still get to own a tiny OnePlus souvenier. This is definitely better than the usual pranks by Google which just end up making you feel embarrassed and sad inside. So go ahead and prank your friend with a link to DR-1’s website.

April 1, 2015
OnePlus’ Upcoming Gaming Gadget Could be a Drone

In spite of being almost a year old, OnePlus has earned a reputation for being a renowned smartphone brand. For now, it has just OnePlus One in its Devices segment, but the Chinese manufacturer announced earlier this month that it would soon launch an entirely new product in April.

OnePlus turned down all the possibilities of the new device being a smartphone, tablet, or a smartwatch, and declared that it will be a ‘game changing’ product. Now, it seems like we have an idea of what the company was talking about.

OnePlus made the announcement during an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit, and what came out from the conversation was unpredictable. The forum administrator David S. replied to the queries saying that the upcoming product would be a drone. It’s not certain if he was trolling, but his comment reads, “It’s a drone, the DR-1 and we start selling it next month.”

It’s surprising to hear that how drone technology, at this point of time, could be a game changer when many companies have already come up with remarkable unmanned aerial vehicles. For now, the OnePlus fans have to wait till April for the company to officially make an announcement.

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March 27, 2015
Facebook Showcases Solar-Powered Drones Which Will Beam Internet Down To Earth

At the two-day F8 Developer Conference at Fort Mason in San Francisco, Facebook shared with the world its plans for year 2015. Yesterday we surfaced the news of Facebook extending Messenger support to third-party apps allowing users to interact with businesses. Now, the social networking giant announced that it will be building drones to help accomplish its Internet.org project.

According to The New York Times, the unmanned aerial vehicle will be V-shaped and are codenamed as Aquila. The drones have got their name from an eagle in Greek mythology. The wingspan of Aquila would be as wide as a Boeing 767 jet airliner, but will weigh as much as a compact car; thanks to the lightweight material to be used for its construction.

The unmanned aerial vehicle will reportedly stay in the atmosphere for almost three months and will use solar power for its operations. Staying in the air, the drones will push internet access to 60,000 and 90,000 feet via lasers. During their suspension in the sky, the aerial vehicles will communicate with each other so that they cover the maximum area on the earth. According to the source, the first flights will begin in summer this year, however, the commercial deployment of these drones fleet may take time.

Facebook’s drone initiatives are powered by its buyout of Ascenta, a drone maker in 2014. But it needs external support to build its fleet of drones. Facebook is seeking partners to fund its Aquila project to take off, and in turn the company will offer the data and technology to the supporters.

Until now, Facebook was recognised as a social media entity, but looks like it wants to be the leading powers of the technology busines. Facebook inaugurated the limited free internet service across the world in August 2013 and today, it’s shaping itself to give maximum benefits to the people. It recently brought the internet.org initiative to India in a tie-up with Rcom. There are several initiative underway to offer low cost, high speed access to the entire population of the planet. Apart from Facebook’s drone initiative, Google is making headway in the arena with its Project Loon. SpaceX founder Elon Musk, in cooperation with Google also plans to cover the planet under a constellation of internet beaming satellites. The human population will soon become a connected civilization.

March 27, 2015
New DJI Inspire 1 is a Badass Drone Capable of 4K Videos

Drones are fast becoming their own individual market. By offering an opportunity to capture images that were simply not possible some time back, they are rapidly becoming the darling of professionals and average consumers alike. They are also constantly getting smaller and better at what they do; some models are even available in an affordable consumer price range. DJI, a company that might instantly bring the thought of a drone in your head, is ready to take things further with the new DJI Inspire 1.

The Inspire 1 is one of the coolest drones out there. The drone looks like a vicious predator on the hunt. The quadcopter flaunts its 4K camera and retractable landing gear.

This latest offering by DJI sorts a three-axis gimbal on which the camera is mounted. The camera is capable of shooting 12 megapixel images and 4K video at 30, 25 and 24fps. Talk about options for a filmmaker. The camera also has a wide 94-degree field of view so you can take those sexy fly-bys. Also, as the arms go up during flights, you can also get amazing 360 degree visuals.

Stabilizing this drone isn’t too much trouble either. The device uses a stereoscopic ‘optic flow’ camera to help stabilize the drone. Using the camera, the drone can stabilize without locking on to GPS. Also using the Lightbridge, a wireless HD transmitter, you can get a live feed of what you are shooting. The range of Lightbridge is 1km, which is just fantastic.

Operating the drone is also a breeze. This drone gives you an option for two people to operate the device. One person can direct the drone while the other can control the camera. Though the second remote can set you back $500.

Inspire 1’s awesome features come at a price though. If you are thinking about getting this bad boy be ready for a lighter pocket as the price tag on this device is $2900. The average drone comes in under $1000 mark. But the Inspire One’s amazing new features definitely help justify its price. So if you got the cash and an itch for shooting epic aerial footage, the DJI Inspire One is exactly what you were looking for.

November 13, 2014