Selfie drone is not new but it also not common despite how useful it is. I guess this is why we don’t see an explosion in selfie drone developments like smartphones do. Speaking of selfie drones, there’s actually a new entrant called Hover Camera X1.
Billed as a pocket-sized HDR aerial camera, the Hover Camera X1 promises hands-free cinematic shots in an ultra-lightweight, foldable package. It tips the scales at just 125g (4.41 oz.) – that’s lighter than a typical smartphone, and offers a bunch of features including palm take-off, intelligent flight pattern, VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry) technology, ToF laser altitude positioning system, triple stabilization, live preview, and more.
Intelligent flight pattern includes a few pre-programmed flight patterns, including Hover, Reveal, Orbit, Follow, and Overhead to let you film like a pro at a press of a button. Meanwhile, a triple stabilization system comprising a gimbal, electronic image stabilization (EIS), and horizon leveling ensure a smooth image.
Moreover, it touts level-4 wind resistance that would allow you to capture in most weather conditions as the state-of-the-art computer vision algorithms promised to keep you in the frame even in challenging environments. Speaking of recording, this little guy can record up to 2.7K@30fps and it also supports 1080p HDR video if that’s what floats your boat.
The device offers real-time previews and images and videos are synced instantly to the Hover X1 app which you can then create shareable content using the preset templates, filters, and background music.
As for the design, it has an uncanny resemblance to Hover 2 by Zero Zero Robotics which also does the same thing. It has a caged design to keep the high-spinning rotors from hurting people, animals, or damaging properties. The cage design also allows for the aforementioned palm take-off.
Hover X1 claims it is a “revolutionary flying camera that requires no controller, nor training to use.” The onboard VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry) technology and the ToF laser altitude positioning system allow for centimeter-level positioning.
Now, here’s the interesting thing. The Hover Camera X1 is already available in China through its official store on Tmall store with a starting price of 1,999 yuan [CH] (around US$289). However, the company is making it available outside of China via Indiegogo but how much has not been revealed.
You may learn more about the Hover Camera X1 over at its product page HERE or sign up to be notified when the campaign goes live on Indiegogo.
[UPDATE MAY 28, 2023] From now until June 25, Hover Camera X1 is having a pre-sale campaign on Indiegogo where you can pre-order a unit for as low as US$299.
Images: Hover Camera.
