iOS-connected AirDog auto-following drone adds obstacle avoidance
As it nears the completion of a massively successful Kickstarter campaign, drone makers Helico Aerospace announced this week that their forthcoming AirDog drone -- which automatically follows users as they do things like wakeboarding or skiing -- will gain a new map-based obstacle avoidance system for safer flying.
Users will be able to program maps with three-dimensional "no fly zones" -- such as trees, buildings, or infrastructure like ski lifts -- that AirDog will intelligently avoid as it flies. The company says that pre-generated maps of popular destinations including wakeboarding cable parks, MX tracks, bike trails, snow parks and ski resorts will be available for download from a cloud locker.
"This will enable the use of AirDog even in places where simple following is either dangerous or not possible," Helico CEO Edgars Rozentals said.
Rozentals told AppleInsider via email that the company is also working to integrate elevation data from Google Maps. This will allow for more accurate mapping by determining if, for instance, a user is following a downhill ski trail or staying in a level area.
AirDog works by automatically tracking a remote control device, dubbed an "AirLeash," that users can strap to their wrist or helmet. The drone can then be placed into one of a number of follow modes so that it will do things like maintain a consistent position relevant to the user or continuously circle overhead.
At press time, AirDog had raised some $1.2 million on Kickstarter with 13 hours remaining. The first kits are expected to ship in November for $1,500.
Users will be able to program maps with three-dimensional "no fly zones" -- such as trees, buildings, or infrastructure like ski lifts -- that AirDog will intelligently avoid as it flies. The company says that pre-generated maps of popular destinations including wakeboarding cable parks, MX tracks, bike trails, snow parks and ski resorts will be available for download from a cloud locker.
"This will enable the use of AirDog even in places where simple following is either dangerous or not possible," Helico CEO Edgars Rozentals said.
Rozentals told AppleInsider via email that the company is also working to integrate elevation data from Google Maps. This will allow for more accurate mapping by determining if, for instance, a user is following a downhill ski trail or staying in a level area.
AirDog works by automatically tracking a remote control device, dubbed an "AirLeash," that users can strap to their wrist or helmet. The drone can then be placed into one of a number of follow modes so that it will do things like maintain a consistent position relevant to the user or continuously circle overhead.
At press time, AirDog had raised some $1.2 million on Kickstarter with 13 hours remaining. The first kits are expected to ship in November for $1,500.
Comments
This article would've been informative if it were to mention that this flying thingy can video record. Guess unlike AirDog, AI isn't aiming for the sky.
It would make sense for them to mention it's video recording specs or special recording abilities but I think anyone who reads the article would deduce the main purpose of a drone following someone is to record video (or shoot missiles at them). I can't think of any alternate reason other than someone's desire to have an arial pet which follows them around and I'm pretty sure the market for such a limited device would be decidedly small.
This is a product that makes sense out of drones. Very cool!
duh...drone much? but with all due respect, not knowing age, etc, my grandpa is also clueless about drones...somehow thinks drones mean boring??? i asked, he said something like..it's like his cousin who just drones on and one. had to laugh, not sure how he thinks his cousin is flying over parts unknown throughout the world.
but....will be interested to see if (and how) they map lifts and stanchions at places like Mammoth, Big Bear, Steamboat. Not a good thing to swipe somebody's nose sitting in chairs on the way up.
And not a whole lot more.
Because the best cat videos consist of close-ups.
That's usually the point of drones.
Typically these drones don't come with a video camera, but allow you to attach a GoPro. That way you can always upgrade the camera, or use it for something else when you're not flying around.
the only good thing about drones is they make great substitutes for "skeets".
See, that’s a pretty important distinction, is all.
That sounds like a great business! Clay shooting but with moving and intelligent targets
If the chip in an iPhone can lock on to 4-5 satellites at once, then it can return 3-space coordinates (although an iOS firmware update may also be required in order to get those coordinates into apps.) Such a thing would be great for devices like AirDog, since they could then track you as your altitude changes (e.g. parasailing) in addition to tracking your position over the ground.
"Map based obstacles" huh? Like trees and monuments and buildings and airplanes and package-laden Amazon drones, I guess...
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Usually an autonomous drone will incorporate a barometer for elevation. Infrared works for when it is really close to the ground.
This all be for naught anyway. If the FAA has its way, these will be illegal to fly.
You could do both as long as you got the order right.
True, I did assume that, but since Assumption Is The Mother Of All Fuckups I simply had to verify by clicking the link. Nice video BTW. As for an alternate reason, I can't think of any. Just maybe to scare of seagulls if your afraid of being pooped upon.
What about a model with feathers so that when you score a hit the feathers go everywhere for that extra bit of realism.
It would have even been more informative if this article had anything to do with cell phones or tablets or Apple or Android or Google or even if there was an app or anything to do with Apple tangentially... or does it...?
Only the Shadow knows...
It does, see the video on that Kickstarter page.
And their website http://www.airdog.com/products:
"Smartphone is only for adjusting advanced settings. GoPro App provides live video stream to your phone."