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HOVERAir: World’s First 8K Flying Action Camera fits in your pocket and operates without a remote

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Your phone has a pretty phenomenal camera, but unless it’s an absolute flagship device, it probably won’t record 8K video. And it for sure won’t fly around in the air taking dramatic shots of you while you pose on the top of a mountain or dirt bike on a rocky trail or dive into a lake. You’ll probably need a selfie drone for that, but before you go spending hundreds of dollars on a drone that’s fragile, expensive, and comes with a massive learning curve involving controllers and joysticks, the folks at HOVERAir might have built the perfect consumer-grade pro drone, or as they call it – a flying action camera. Designed to be foldable, small enough to fit in your pocket, and durable enough to withstand any rookie accidents The HOVERAir X1 PROMAX still packs a state-of-the-art flying system and an 8K camera capable of outshining any other drone its size. It works on voice commands (but also comes with an optional Wi-Fi 6-enabled Beacon), takes off from your palm, reaches speeds of up to 60 km/h (37.2 mph), can capture slow-motion videos at 120fps, and even works in sub-zero temperatures just in case you want to film yourself skiing or snowboarding. The best part, the X1 PRO’s $499 starting price, along with its compact size which makes it compliant with FAA guidelines so anyone can use one.

Designer: HOVERAir

Click Here to Buy Now: $499. Hurry, only 30 left! Raised over $4.6 million.

You may remember HOVERAir from years ago when they first debuted their folding selfie-drone cameras. More than 8 years later, the company’s still sticking to its wildly popular and innovative folding drone template, but has managed to outfit its device with some very impressive tech. Available in two variants – the X1 PRO and the X1 PROMAX, these flying action cameras are capable of recording at 4K and 8K respectively. Both devices weigh under the FAA-regulated 250-gram limit, hit speeds of 42 km/h (26mph) with bursts of up to 60 km/h (37.2mph), shoot slow-mo, take photos, and also capture vertical videos for social media. The X1 PROMAX just packs a slightly better camera system that has a marginally higher FoV at 107° (compared to the X1 PRO’s 104° FoV), and uses vision-based sensors for rear active collision detection. Think of the X1 PRO as the perfect hands-free drone for filming sports, landscapes, and your dance reels, while the X1 PROMAX just being a notch higher for serious professionals and content creators who also want great photography capabilities in their drone. No controllers, no learning curve, no fuss.

The X1 PRO and PROMAX’s design remains their strongest selling point. The flying action camera opens and closes like a book, with a camera and battery system in the ‘spine’, while the four propellers sit on either side, enclosed within a flexible, durable cage-like structure made from cutting-edge HEM materials to protect them from damage during transit or flight. To use the selfie drone, open it up and you’re ready to hit the skies. The X1 PRO and PROMAX operate on voice commands, but for more expert and intuitive tracking, HOVERAir designed a hardware Beacon that packs controls, tracking sensors, and a screen for viewing your flying action camera’s PoV. There’s no traditional remote, although the Beacon transforms into one using a series of modules like a Joystick for motion control and haptic feedback, or even the ability to snap on your smartphone to give you a true RC experience with a drone’s PoV preview. In short, the drone will fly on its own and play cinematographer to all your stunts, but if you want to get behind the ‘wheel’, it’s more than happy to relinquish control. However, if you’re looking to have your flying action camera perform a set of standard flight paths, the X1 PRO and PROMAX’s automated flight modes let you choose from in-built settings like Hover, Zoom Out, Bird’s Eye, and Orbit that capture dynamic cinematic moments, or Follow, Side Follow, and Dolly Track which are better suited for action shots. HOVERAir also plans to add more modes through OTA updates.

Of course, all of this ease of use wouldn’t matter much without an impressive camera. Fortunately, the HOVERAir X1 PRO delivers on that front too. Its 17mm wide-angle lens offers a generous 104° field of view, letting you capture expansive vistas and unique angles that would be impossible from the ground. The X1 PRO can shoot in 1080p at 120 frames per second, making it perfect for those stunning slow-motion shots. Want to take things even further? Enter the X1 PROMAX, which ups the ante with 8K resolution, 4K@120fps slow-motion, and a 107° FoV, giving you the tools to create breathtaking cinematic footage. The PROMAX model also introduces an extra vision-based sensor for rear active collision detection, adding an additional layer of protection when you’re flying in tight or unpredictable spaces – ideal for those moments when you’re pushing boundaries (and maybe your luck).

The PRO and PROMAX both have a two-axis gimbal with EIS (electronic image stabilization) and HL (horizon leveling), so your footage will be rock steady even when the adventure is rough.

When it comes to camera drones, stability is everything. No one wants shaky footage from a breezy afternoon at the beach or during a fast-paced tracking shot through a forest trail. The HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX rise to the challenge with built-in video stabilization that they call SmoothCapture 2.0. A two-axis gimbal with EIS (electronic image stabilization) and HL (horizon leveling) kicks in while the drone’s in flight, allowing you to focus on capturing the scene rather than compensating for jitters. For more accurate honing in on your subject, you’ve got the HoverAir Beacon, a nifty add-on that clips onto your handlebar while you’re riding, allowing you to quickly see the flying action camera’s PoV while also giving it a target it can track. This companion device unlocks live previews and expanded control options, transforming your flying experience into something closer to autonomous filmmaking. The Beacon uses HoverLink™ Technology for ultra-precise tracking, so you can leave the steering to the X1 PRO or PROMAX and focus on getting the shot.

Once you’ve filmed your shot, Wi-Fi 6 integration ensures your aerial masterpiece doesn’t stay stuck in the device’s memory. Quick file transfers mean you can start editing almost immediately after landing. Plus, the selfie drone’s long-range video transmission of up to 1 km (with the Beacon) lets you explore and shoot from afar, capturing wide-open landscapes or large events without sacrificing video quality. It’s the kind of feature that makes you feel like the director of your own blockbuster.

Beyond the camera and flight smarts, the Hover X1 PRO is built to be a winning combination of portable and durable. The foldable design doesn’t affect the drone’s ability to fly with great dexterity, and even with those collision-prevention mechanisms in place, the X1 PRO and PROMAX can dust off mild bumps and accidents thanks to a flexible, shock-absorbing propeller cage. And then there’s the thrill of taking this thing off-road—literally. The X1 Pro’s Omni terrain capability makes it versatile enough to fly over lakes, through snowy forests, or along cliff edges with ease. It adds a whole new layer of adventure to your flights. The control system adapts right along with it, allowing you to turn the Hover Beacon into a one-handed joystick or opt for the more traditional two-handed smartphone setup. Either way, it adjusts to how you want to fly and where you’re flying.

You can either fold the device and carry it around in your pocket when not in use, but HOVERAir also makes a slick leather carrying case to haul your compact aerial camera around wherever you go. However, if you’re looking for an upgrade, HOVERAir’s even designed a PowerCase, which both houses your flying action camera and even supplements it with up to two additional battery charges. Designed specifically for use in extreme cold weather, the PowerCase works at temperatures even as low as -4°F (-20°C) to keep your device charged and ready for flight. Of course, flying your drone in sub-zero temperatures is yet another challenge, which is why HOVERAir even sells a special ‘Thermo Battery’ that you can fit into either the X1 PRO or X1 PROMAX, giving it an operating temperature range of -4°F to 113°F.

Both the HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX come with built-in 64GB storage, upgradable up to 1TB thanks to an SD card slot located on the flying action camera’s body. The X1 PRO and PROMAX run in conjunction with the HOVERAir X1 app, which allows you to configure flight modes, download and share content, launch manual control, and even install firmware updates on your flying action camera. The app offers a transmission range of 500m, while the Beacon bumps it up to an entire kilometer. You can grab the X1 PRO and PROMAX either as standalone devices, or opt for cycling or skiing combos that include the leather carrying case, PowerCase, Thermo Battery, the Beacon, or the modular accessories that turn the Beacon into a joystick. The X1 PRO and PROMAX have already begun shipping as of end-September with a 12-month warranty, and the batteries get a 12-month warranty too (applicable up to 100 cycles).

Click Here to Buy Now: $499. Hurry, only 30 left! Raised over $4.6 million.

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This floating cart could become a dream come true for shoppers and workers

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The shopping cart, also known as a trolley or buggy, is one of the most essential tools people use inside stores, especially supermarkets, both for customers as well as store workers. Despite its importance, its design has basically remained unchanged in almost a century, even when that design doesn’t really take the comfort of users in mind. Yes, the four wheels and the spacious metal basket can hold your groceries and take them from one point to another, but they are difficult to control, heavy, and more importantly, unable to climb up or go down the stairs. This prototype tries to address those pain points to make dealing with groceries and packages easier, safer, and more accessible.

Designers: Geonwoo Park, Hyungeun Park, Wooyong Park, Dongjae Lee, Murim Kim, Seung Jae Lee (Seoul National University of Science and Technology)

Shopping carts are so iconic that they have literally become icons in digital stores that don’t have anything to do with wheeling physical objects around. Despite that popularity, they’re not exactly the easiest tools to use and offer only the bare minimum convenience so that we don’t have to carry our groceries. Considering their cheap and mass-produced designs, it’s no surprise that many have damaged wheels that make them difficult to turn. These wheels also don’t let you drive the cart up or down places that don’t have inclined planes for them to roll on.

Palletrone’s solution is to do away with those problematic wheels completely. Instead, it uses a rather large drown to lift a platform that will hold your groceries and boxes. There’s also a cage around the drone to protect humans from those powerful and dangerous propellers. Think of it like an upside-down basket with the drone inside, flying to keep the platform off the ground.

The description might sound simple, but there’s definitely a lot complicated technology involved. For one, the Palletdrone always flies at around the person’s chest height, which means that it will also ascend or descend as the person goes up or down stairs. It also doesn’t tilt so that the contents on top of it don’t slide off. Finally, it moves and turns as the person pushes or pulls it, so the experience is more or less exactly like a shopping cart minus the wheels. And it can do all this by knowing if the force being exerted is being done by a human or from the weight of the objects on top of it.

This floating and hovering “cart” sounds dreamy and very useful both for shoppers as well as personnel who have to bring goods from storage to the aisle. That said, the design is far from perfect, let alone presentable and aesthetic. For one, everyone who has ever used a drone will know how noisy they can be, especially one of this size. For another, the current Palletrone is only able to carry less than 3kg of cargo, which is significantly less than a family’s typical grocery bag. It’s a start, though, and one that finally addresses one of the biggest inconveniences when going to the supermarket by boldly giving the decades-old shopping cart a do-over.

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Bamboo drone explores a more sustainable way to fly and deliver things

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Some see them as annoyances and others consider them as privacy and security risks. That said, flying drones, just like their quadruped terrestrial counterparts, will inevitably be a part of our near future. That does mean there will be more mass-produced drones, more than what we already have today, and the materials used to make them aren’t always accessible or sustainable. But just as plastic is being replaced in other design industries, there’s also an opportunity to test other materials that are just as suitable for these flying robots. One experiment does exactly that, and it chooses a rather unexpected option that’s much loved in the design industry: wood.

Designer: Deepak Dadheech

Wood is not something you’d immediately associate with electronics, let alone robotics, but it is finding its way to more appliances and gadgets. In those cases, the material is prized for its sustainability and aesthetics, the latter of which isn’t exactly a priority among unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs like drones. That said, not all wood is created equal, and one particular type could very well be suitable for the demands of a drone.

Bamboo, in particular, is known for being lightweight yet also durable, especially when it comes to its tensile strength. Unlike hardwood, which could splinter and break on impact, bamboo can absorb a bit more strength. It’s also in high supply or easily renewable, unlike other trees that take a longer time to mature. Because of these properties, it could make for a good substitute for both plastic and carbon fiber, as the Bamboo hexacopter drone demonstrates.

Of course, the whole drone isn’t made of bamboo. In addition to the circuitry and brushless motors, the propellers are still made from plastic. Only the main frame, legs, and arms use bamboo, which is the largest use of plastic or carbon fiber in drones anyway. For only around $12 worth of bamboo, you can have a drone that weighs only 350g, half that of typical plastic builds.

The question, however, is whether such a strategy will actually be effective or if it will have too many compromises for the sake of sustainability. The Bamboo Drone does fly indeed and it can, in theory, carry light payloads like tools, emergency supplies, or scientific instruments. How it will fair against strong winds and light rain has yet to be tested, and that will really determine how suitable bamboo will be for a fleet of drones.

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IKEA adds a fleet of drones to its inventory-management centers all across Europe

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Unlike your average drones used for cinematic shots or racing gigs, these IKEA drones can scan massive warehouses, tracking the influx and outflow of inventory.

IKEA’s recent move to scale its fleet of inventory drones marks a pivotal moment in the integration of cutting-edge tech within retail logistics. The company is looking to advanced drone tech to take charge of the decor giant’s warehouses across Europe. IKEA’s collaboration with Verity, a startup known for its specialized drones, now spans 16 locations across Europe. The project initially began in 2021 and has grown steadily, positioning IKEA at the forefront of innovative supply chain management. The 100 drones currently in use represent a practical solution to a logistical challenge: monitoring vast warehouse spaces packed with towering shelves that are difficult for human workers or traditional robots to navigate.

Designer: Verity for IKEA

These drones come equipped with sensors and high-resolution cameras that allow them to scan inventory with accuracy and speed, providing a constant stream of data that updates in real time. This capability is especially vital for IKEA, whose warehouses handle everything from bulky furniture to smaller, more complex products. The drones can cover areas that would be impossible or highly inefficient for human workers to manage, enabling continuous operations that reduce errors and ensure stock levels are maintained effectively. This kind of precise monitoring cuts down on the time and labor traditionally required for manual stock-taking, while also minimizing the risk of overstocking or stockouts—issues that can disrupt the supply chain.

Beyond hardware, Verity’s role in this development involves customizing a solution that aligns with IKEA’s needs. The drones operate independently, requiring minimal intervention, which allows IKEA to focus more on strategic planning and less on routine logistical tasks. By maintaining 24/7 operations, these drones are able to deliver inventory data that’s constantly updated, offering insights that traditional systems simply cannot match. Their integration is smooth, even down to the branding—with each drone featuring IKEA’s colors and logo, they fit seamlessly into the company’s broader identity.

As retail continues to evolve with increasing emphasis on automation, IKEA’s strategy serves as a model for how large-scale companies can use technology to disrupt operations by radically improving efficiency. The expansion of these drones into multiple European markets signals that this is not just an experiment but a calculated investment in the future of inventory management. It also allows IKEA to focus its literal man-power in other places, rather than having them manage massive warehouses which can be unsafe. For IKEA, the future is not just about selling furniture; it’s about rethinking how logistics can be optimized to support a global business in a fast-changing world.

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Chinese researchers test smallest solar-powered drone that can fly as long as it gets sunlight

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A major problem with tiny flying drones, referred to as micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), is that they cannot fly for a very long duration. Especially the MAVs weighing under 10 grams, as such micro vehicles can only stay airborne for about 10 minutes. Using sunlight as a constant power source could provide a solution to keep such bird-sized drones afloat and flying longer.

However, it’s not as simple as sticking a solar panel on the wings. Traditional propulsion systems used in micro aerial vehicles aren’t very efficient at making appropriate use of generated solar power. Moreover, these tiny drones can’t carry much payload, making them inconsistent and unworthy in support operations, search, and rescue.

Designer: Beihang University

The CoulombFly, a small, ultra-efficient drone powered by static electricity was introduced as a solution to the abovementioned problem by scientists at Beihang University in Beijing, China. The super-small drone uses a special propulsion system that can lift to a decent height while using very little power for the same. The vehicle itself weighs just 4.21 grams – which is extremely lightweight – has a wingspan of 20 cm, and can carry a payload of roughly 1.59 g.

According to the researchers, CoulombFly is about ten times smaller and weighs 1/600th the weight of the previous, smallest and lightest solar-powered aerial vehicle out there. Dubbed then as the smallest and lightest solar-powered aerial vehicle, it is small enough to sit on the palm and is engineered to fly indefinitely while the sun shines on its wings. Mingjing Qi professor at Beihang and the lead of the project says he doesn’t want to settle for this size of the drone. “My ultimate goal is to make a super tiny flying vehicle, about the size and weight of a mosquito, with a wingspan under 1 centimeter,” Qi notes.

Unlike the previous tiny aerial vehicles that rely on electromagnetic motors and generate power using electromagnets; CoulombFly uses an electrostatic field to produce motion. With a mass of 1.52 g, electrostatic motor can generate lift-to-power efficiency that’s twice or even thrice that of traditional MAV motors. The electrostatic motor of the tiny drone comprises two rings: the inner ring is a spinning motor with 64 carbon fiber slats covered with aluminum foil, while the outer ring has eight alternating pairs of negative and positive carbon fiber electrode plates also bonded with foil. When the CoulombFly is exposed to sunlight, the outer ring with its 16 plates generates electric fields. Since each electrode plate is embedded in aluminum brushes, these brush against the rotor slats on the inner ring spinning the propeller and lifting the drone up until the sun is shining on it.

 

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This Drone Referee hovers above the football and players, serving as an airborne VAR

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The most beautiful game, football, is a team sport. But in realism – at the world stage – the game is not limited to the field and teams. Passionate fans and their diehard enthusiasm for clubs and players take the game far and beyond, into the people’s home and their hearts. Despite the love and admiration for football, one wrong on-field decision can leave players behaving irrationally and discerning fans indulging in brawls, intense enough to set stadiums on fire.

Over the years goal-line technology has made a significant difference in the decision-making often faltered by the human eye. Yet, all the other significant on-field decisions are left for humans to make, which even the most qualified and experienced referees can get wrong from time to time. While replacing human intervention from decision-making is visually impossible in the near future; there is a designer who thinks an aerial observer can pull off the task at the amateur level to start with.

Designer: Seungmin Ha

The idea behind “Referee,” a portable drone football referee is as simple as its design: Take to the air, hover above and track the players and the ball, and sound a whistle when a foul occurs. Designed with a Samsung-backed Design Membership program, the two-part system – a drone with rotors and HD camera – moves fluidly around the ball so that there are no blind spots and decisions are spot on. There is no mention of whether the modern Referee will also issue red card for a cardinal foul, or a human ref would still be needed.

The functioning of the Referee is simple to pull off, and the design – modeled after a training cone – makes it even more interesting. It comes packed in a dedicated trolley bag one can tag along to the field and set it to run the game without having to find a human referee to help you with a night game with friends. Since most hobby footballers have time to play in the night hours, after a day’s work, Seungmin has envisioned a Referee with LED lighting that shines along with the whistle when a foul is detected.

To keep the control simple and the design more intriguing, the Referee is controllable via an app. Through the app, you can customize the device’s color to the team that you are playing and also replay the foul scene to make sure close decisions can be fairly dealt with. Potentially a gimmick at the moment, the Referee through its evolution can maybe reach the Premier League stage someday.

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Drone quadcopter concept grips power lines to recharge its batteries

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Although they may be a bit controversial due to privacy and safety concerns, it’s hard to argue that drones, specifically quadcopter models, have introduced big changes in modern life. Taking photos and recording videos can now have some dramatic flair, and deliveries of food and supplies can be made to harder-to-reach places. What these often astounding use cases don’t always say, however, is that drones have very short operating times due to their small batteries. That means they can only fly over short distances with light payloads unless they stop and land somewhere for a recharge. This research concept tries to think of a different system that takes advantage of one of the most ubiquitous power sources found in most urban areas: heavy-duty power lines.

Designers: Viet Duong Hoang, Frederik Falk Nyboe, Nicolaj Haarhøj Malle, Emad Ebeid

Given our current battery technologies, drones have no choice but to pack light. This means most drones have an operating time of around 1 hour or so, and that’s only if they’re not struggling to keep afloat with a heavy load. This drastically shortens the travel time and distance of drones unless they find a way to charge en route, almost like how a car refuels or charges along its way. That, however, would require creating “charging stations” for these drones, which might not always be possible or even economical.

Scientists from the University of Southern Denmark decided to design around a power source that is always there but isn’t solar-powered, which would be too slow and too little for the drone’s use. Instead, the drones clamp onto power lines, the very same thick cables that deliver power from one pole to another. When the drone senses that its battery is too low for comfort, it flies to the nearest power line, flies under a line, and then slowly raises itself until its mechanism grips the line. From there, it uses induction to draw electricity from the line to power that gripping mechanism as well as charge the drone hanging from it.

To test this theory, a drone that was used to inspect power lines was outfitted with custom-made sensors and a gripper before being set to its task without human intervention. The drone recharged itself five times using this method, resulting in an impressive two-hour operation. Although the task put the drone within the immediate vicinity of the electrical line that it needed to recharge, it’s not hard to imagine how delivery drones would likewise have access to nearby lines for the same purpose.

Then again, this recharging system might not be the best solution either, at least given the technologies we have today. Fully autonomous drones are still generally considered to be unreliable, so you can only imagine the fear of one of these flying robots meeting an accident on that power line and taking down a whole block’s electricity. Of course, the better solution would be to have public charging stations like those for cars, but we’re still far from being a drone-centric civilization to warrant such infrastructure.

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The DJI Express UAV Drone Helps Easily Deliver Cargo Over Inter-City Journeys

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Designed to extend the range of delivery from specific hubs, the DJI Express can easily make short inter-city commutes to deliver cargo and supplies without needing a semi-truck or even a dedicated driver. Perfect for smaller cities located next to bigger ones, the drone takes on the role of a delivery-agent, helping easily and rapidly cover large distances to complete deliveries.

Designer: Qingsheng Meng

The DJI Express UAV concept, created by China-based Qingsheng Meng, explores a different format from the drones you’re currently used to. Unlike most quadcopter-shaped aerial devices, the Express takes on the shape of a winged eVTOL that can fly longer distances like your regular airplane. However, significantly smaller than most airplanes, the Express UAV, as its abbreviation suggests, doesn’t have any humans inside it. The unmanned aircraft is controlled entirely remotely, relying on a combination of sensors for route-mapping and obstacle avoicance, and a rather massive camera unit on the tip that allows the remote pilot to look around as they maneuver the craft.

The drone’s design can functionally be split into a few distinct groups. You’ve got yourself a winged aircraft with propellers on each side. A high-definition camera mounted on a 2-axis gimbal on the front allows the drone to ‘see’, while the body of the aircraft houses a battery module on top, and the cargo payload at the bottom. Finally, a tail with a dedicated propeller helps with steering and stability.

A close-up of the top shows you the drone’s detachable battery, which comes with an easy-to-pull-out handle for swapping battery cells during a delivery cycle. However, the drone has its own charging port too, allowing you to charge said battery packs – a feature that can be used while the drone’s grounded for a significant number of hours. In front of the battery is a flip-switch that lets you set the drone to auto or manual, hinting at fully-autonomous flying capabilities thanks to the intelligent obstacle-avoidance sensors on the top as well as the bottom of the craft.

The DJI Express UAV’s design also has a rather well-ventilated fuselage that allows wind to rapidly cool the motor and batteries during flight. Cool air passes through the UAV’s body, helping maintain optimal temperatures during flight and keeping the battery healthy over longer journeys. Given the UAV’s fan-made conceptual nature, there are really no concrete details of its size or capabilities, although DJI does have a delivery drone in its enterprise roster – the Flycart 30. That being said, the Flycart still has a quadcopter-style design that severely limits its range and ability to deliver cargo over inter-city commutes.

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The Future Is Here! Introducing Flying Umbrellas To Take Convenience To The Next Level

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In the fast-paced world of technological innovation, where convenience is key, I Build Stuff, a content creator, has taken the concept of hands-free technology to new heights—literally. In a recent creation that has captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts and casual observers alike, I Build Stuff has designed a flying umbrella drone that hovers above users, shielding them from the rain in a futuristic and whimsical fashion.

Designer: I Build Stuff

In an era dominated by smart devices and voice-controlled assistants, the integration of hands-free technology into everyday objects is a natural progression. The flying umbrella drone is a prime example of this trend, offering a unique solution to the age-old predicament of holding an umbrella while navigating through rain showers.

The concept behind the flying umbrella may seem straightforward—attach propellers, install a drone, and affix an umbrella. However, the designer encountered numerous technical challenges during the development process, leading to a journey of trial and error. The result is a remarkable fusion of cutting-edge technology and creativity.

The core structure of the flying umbrella is a cross-shaped frame made of 3D-printed parts, extending from the edges of a traditional umbrella. At each end of the frame, small propellers resembling a hurricane’s rotation lift the umbrella into the air. To ensure lightweight yet robust construction, carbon fiber tubes form the skeleton of this innovative device, enabling it to gracefully soar above its user.

Crucial to the functionality of the flying umbrella is the incorporation of a flight controller and an electric stability control circuit. The designer meticulously soldered wires to the circuit, regulating the motor’s speed to prevent the device from flying off uncontrollably. The flight controller, programmed to maintain stability, keeps the flying umbrella gracefully following its user.

Despite initial success during the pilot flight, the inventor faced challenges during subsequent tests. The flying umbrella exhibited erratic behavior, shaking violently during one instance. The inventor took a pause, addressing the issues and stabilizing the system, even going so far as to encase the electronics in plastic wrap to protect them from moisture.

While concerns about the device’s stability persist, the I Build Stuff creator has showcased its effectiveness in protecting against drizzles. Anticipating future improvements, the inventor envisions adding a camera and programming the flying umbrella to autonomously follow users, eliminating the need for manual control.

The current controller-operated system opens the door to exciting possibilities. However, the prospect of a fully autonomous flying umbrella holds promise, making this invention accessible to a broader audience. The potential for hands-free technology to benefit not only tech-savvy individuals but also the elderly or those less proficient with remote controllers is an exciting prospect on the horizon.

In a world where innovation knows no bounds, the flying umbrella drone stands out as a quirky yet functional creation, redefining the way we navigate rainy days. As technology continues to evolve, the prospect of a completely hands-free experience with a flying umbrella is both intriguing and eagerly awaited by enthusiasts around the globe.

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Google’s Wing drone delivery to have double the payload with new drone

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Since I live in a country where package delivery by drone is still something straight out of a futuristic movie, it’s fascinating to see how there are places where they are trying to make this the norm. Google’s parent company Alphabet is one of the early adapters with their drone delivery arm Wing, spanning three continents and more than 350,000 deliveries in those places where it’s available. Now they want to expand, literally, with a larger drone that can make deliveries even more convenient.

Designer: Wing

This new drone is still so new that it doesn’t have a name yet. But what is sure is that it will be able to double the payload of the original drone so there will be no need to use two drones to deliver larger orders. According to their data, 30% of their U.S orders require more than one drone and so there is a need for something that will be able to deliver twice what it usually can, saving on the customer’s money and the company’s logistics.

The new drone will be able to carry up to 5 pounds on 12 sm flights while cruising at 65 mph. While it has the same range and speed as the original Wing drone, this new one can carry double as the former is only able to carry up to 2.5 lbs. It will still use the combination of vertical takeoff and landing and precision hovering with fixed wings as it cruises to the delivery address.

The Wing Delivery Network will continue to expand and get more people and companies to use their service. They are now able to do computer tracking as compared to the human intervention previously so the drones can actually do longer routes. And with the still unnamed new drone, they can do heavier loads for those who may need more stuff delivered.

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