Someone Flew a Drone into Drake’s Penthouse – But is it Fake? https://petapixel.com/2025/02/20/someone-flew-a-drone-into-drakes-penthouse-but-is-it-fake/ #aerialdrone #drake #drone #viral #News

The New DJI Goggles N3 Help You Fly Longer and See Better https://petapixel.com/2024/11/06/the-new-dji-goggles-n3-help-you-fly-longer-and-see-better/ #djigogglesintegra #fpvracingdrone #djigogglesn3 #aerialdrone #djigoggles2 #djigoggles #fpvgoggles #Equipment #djiavata2 #djineo #News #dji #fpv

Veteran Cinematographer Can’t Afford $5 McDonald’s Meal After Hollywood Strikes https://petapixel.com/2024/09/30/veteran-cinematographer-verge-homeless-cant-afford-5-mcdonalds-meal-after-hollywood-strikes-sag-aftra-writers-guild-america/ #cinematographers #writersstrike #actorsstrike #aerialdrone #hollywood #News

Photo Book Publisher Sued for Using Drone Images That Included Art Installations https://petapixel.com/2024/08/02/photo-book-publisher-sued-for-using-drone-images-that-included-art-installations/ #dronephotography #aerialdrone #germany #News #Law

The ‘Dronut’ is a Cylindrical Drone Straight Out of Science Fiction

The Cleo Robotics Dronut is the world's first bi-rotor ducted drone that makes it look like something straight out of science fiction.

The Boston-based company that specializes in unconventional robotic systems has released a drone that sports an unconventional design and capabilities which allow it to access spaces that ordinary drones can't navigate, such as confined rooms and or close to people.

In 2020, the company released a previous version of the drone, simply called the Dronut. The first model was only sold to the military and law enforcement, and at the time the company said its next goal was to make the drone quieter and to release it for consumer use. Thus, the Dronut X1 was born.

The oddly shaped drone is compact enough to fit on the palm of the hand and weighs only 15 ounces (425 grams) but boasts live-streaming capabilities, a high-resolution 4K camera, and a global shutter sensor. The drone navigates through 3D LiDAR (light detection and ranging), which utilizes beams of light that hit an object or a surface and reflect back to the laser scanner to create a 3D visualization of its environment.

The drone has a one-kilometer (0.6 miles) range depending on the environment and the company says it can be controlled using an Android phone with little to no training required. The sophisticated sensors allow the drone to be used also in spaces with low light or with no light at all.

All these claims are not particularly unique in the world of drones, but what sets Dronut X1 apart is its ducted fan design that allows it to fly with no exposed propellers. Because of this, Dronut operators can safely fly it around people, in tight spaces, and around sensitive equipment without posing a risk to those around it or itself.

The company's founders come from the oil and gas industry, which is where they experienced firsthand how difficult and dangerous it can be to inspect confined spaces. This is what led them to the Dronut X1's design and is also what the drone is specifically marketed for. So while it is not exactly aimed at traditional drone hobbyists and commercial drone operators, the Dronut X1 has been built with the goal of eliminating manned entry into dangerous, hazardous, and difficult-to-reach environments.

The Dronut X1 isn't cheap. The innovative drone costs $9,800 and can be can only be ordered on Cleo Robotic's website. It is available commercially for law enforcement, industrial inspection, construction, and defense industries.

#equipment #news #technology #4kdrone #aerialdrone #cleorobotics #drone #dronecamera #flyingcamera #newdrone #robotics

Six Practical Drone Tips to Get Better Landscape Photos

My first foray into aerial photography using a drone left a lot to be desired, to say the least. The DJI Phantom 2 Vision that I first used back in 2014 was a chunky, clunky beast with photo and video capabilities that pale in comparison to today’s offerings. In other words, using that drone for photo and video purposes was more of a novelty or a cool party trick.

It really wasn’t until I got the Mavic 2 Pro in 2018 that I realized just how much creative potential these maturing aerial camera systems offer. All of a sudden, I was able to reliably capture images and footage in entirely unique perspectives that were utterly impossible to get from the ground.

When DJI recently announced the Mavic 3, I wasn’t sure how much more the company could improve on because I genuinely believed that the Mavic 2 Pro checked off so many boxes for me. Unfortunately, my Mavic 2 Pro crashed into Lake Coeur d’Alene last December (I had it recovered by a professional diver, though) and I opted to wait until DJI replaced it with the Mavic 3 almost a year later. After receiving it and taking it up for its maiden flight, I can confidently say that all of my expectations have been shattered.

Another thing I realized after taking this drone up for the first time in a year is that I had forgotten so much of what is involved with getting strong photos when your camera is hovering way up in the air. Traditionally, photographers just need to keep their concentration wrapped on the key aspects of a photo such as the composition and exposure settings. When your camera is hovering hundreds of feet in the air, an entirely new set of data needs to be constantly monitored in addition to having greater control over the Z-axis.

That’s a big reason why I chose to record the video above. The tips I share to help get stronger aerial compositions that serve to help me just as much as I hope it helps you. It’s sort of my own little pep talk to myself, reminding me of the things that matter most when I’ve only got 25-30 minutes of total flight time. If you’ve never flown a drone before, I hope this video inspires you to give it a shot. It really is one of the most rewarding forms of photography. Just remember to be a good human and follow all local, state, and federal laws regarding drone operation. And always be mindful to not disrupt or scare wildlife in their natural habitats.

About the author: Brian Matiash is a professional photographer, videographer, and published author based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. His passion is to serve other photographers by helping them grow their own visual pursuits. Learn more about Brian by visiting his website, on Instagram, and on YouTube.

#tips #travel #abstractlandscapephotography #aerial #aerialdrone #brianmatiash #djimavic3 #drone #dronephotography #fineartlandscapephotography #landscape #landscapephotography

Lawsuit Alleges the FAA’s New Rules Violate Constitutional Rights

The drone equipment retailer RaceDayQuads (RDQ) is in the midst of a legal battle with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a case that has the potential to shake up the commercial drone operations and manufacturing industry.

RDQ, an online store that sells equipment for the drone-racing or first-person view (FPV) community, has challenged the legality of the FAA's actions during the time it took to finalize its early 2021 final rule on Remote Identification (RID) of Unmanned Aircraft, as reported by Forbes.

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The RID rule requires all drones over 0.55 pounds that register with the FAA to have an electronic license plate -- either integrated into the drone at the time of manufacturing or attached to the drone as a RID broadcast module (BMID).

This RID technology would then transmit "message elements" through a broadcast signal which would be accessible to any member of the public and would contain information, such as the location of the drone, its operator, and other data. Law enforcement and security agencies would have the additional ability to triangulate these message elements with the help of FFA in the case of "bad actors."

The rule also places restrictions on locations where RID non-compliant drones would be permitted to fly. This is something Tyler Brennan, owner of RDQ, and his legal team have raised as a concern because 99% of FPV pilots currently fly drones in parks, woods, and in their backyards, not in open fields recognized by the FAA.

The financial impact is also integral in the case put forward by Brennan. He estimates that drone racing enthusiasts in the United States alone spend around $75 million a year on FPV-related equipment. The increased regulations put forth by the FAA jeopardize that market, where the added burden may put off many hobbyists.

If the rule is implemented, he argues that it will raise the barrier for entry for hobbyists because the RID will need to be built into drones. Not only will it add to the weight of drones but also significantly increase the cost for the consumer and may ground millions of drones due to disruptions in the supply chain.

The RDQ team notes that the public should be given a vote on government regulations that impose costs on the public, and their constitutional rights should be protected.

"We are seeking to protect the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens to be free from unreasonable searches from the government when they are flying in their own backyards," states Brennan. This Fourth Amendment issue is just one of five presented in the brief submitted by Brennan and his team.

The RDQ legal team has had success in the field before and successfully prevailed over the FAA in Taylor v. Huerta , which overturned the agency’s 2015 registration requirement for recreational aircraft. Still, the government's brief denied RDQ's allegations but Brennan and his team have got the opportunity to file a reply brief due in 30 days, with a court ruling likely to follow not until early 2022.

RaceDayQuads has set up an explainer outlining its full argument on its website.

#industry #law #news #aerialdrone #case #court #drone #dronepilots #faa #federalaviationadministration #fpv #racedayquads #ruling

PowerEgg X is a Weatherproof Drone, Camcorder, and Webcam All-In-One

The PowerEgg X is a versatile drone and a camcorder that prides itself on being able to withstand harsh environments, land on water, and comes loaded with AI-powered live streaming and video conferencing features.

Established 2009, PowerVision -- based in Beijing -- now claims to be one of the world leaders in research, development, and production of aerial, water surface, and underwater robotics. Some of the company's product lines include an intelligent fish-finding drone, PowerSeeker, the first egg-shaped drone, PowerEgg, and subsequent PowerEgg X, which is the world's first full-platform AI camera.

This drone packs several years of improvements after its predecessor, PowerEgg, first came onto the market. First announced at the Consumer Technology Association (CES) trade show in 2020, the PowerEgg X has been designed as a versatile all-in-one piece of equipment. What differentiates this drone from others is its ability to perform in harsh weather conditions, such as rain, which is a definite advantage for photographers and videographers who regularly work outdoors.

However, it isn't just used as a drone that can fly in rain and land on water, it also acts as a tripod-mounted or hand-held gimbal camera, which can appeal to professional and amateur creators alike, whether it is used to create commercial footage for clients or for everyday lifestyle and travel vlogging. The 3-axis gimbal stabilizer helps avoid visible vibration in the produced footage.

Same as the exterior design of the earlier PowerEgg -- and as the name might suggest -- this drone/camcorder combo device is egg-shaped. It weighs 1.2 lbs (544 grams) when used in AI camera mode and 1.9 lbs (862 grams) in drone mode. It packs a 1/2.8″ CMOS 12-megapixel sensor and can produce up to 4K video files at up to 60 frames per second. The internal storage holds 6 GB of files, however, a Micro SD memory card with up to 128 GB capacity is also supported. In-app editing makes video production and editing easier on the go and the final video can be shared instantly from your smartphone.

While it has technically been on the market for over a year, many photographers may not have heard of it. Additionally, after launch the company introduced what it calls the Wizard Edition, which includes waterproof housing and a mini tripod. In September of last year, PowerVision added its first AI video conferencing camera mode to the device in an attempt to add features based on the latest technology trends of technology it found arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the company, PowerVision has recognized the significance of this growing virtual communication market, both for smaller-scale video calls, live streams, and meetings as well as larger public events, which has led to the most recent PowerEgg X 2.1.2 firmware update. Wally Zheng, founder and CEO of PowerVision, explains that "the PowerEgg X's new features set a new standard for innovating the future of both live and virtual events and exhibitions."

In the update, PowerVision introduced several new features that will give users more creative and technical possibilities when using the drone to create content. Livestreaming with third-party apps is now supported by the PowerEgg X while delivering 4K/60fps video coverage with a 3-axis gimbal. In addition to this video update, a "SyncVoice" feature allows users to capture clear audio remotely, delivering what the company promises is a high-quality visual and audio experience.

The new features are also aimed at making live streaming more user-friendly for the content creator by adding Smart AI, which uses both hand gesture controls and facial recognition. PowerVision says these features will help the presenter avoid physically having to press buttons near the recording screen, giving a more professional finish to their live stream. If the presenter is faced with a busy environment during their live stream, the AI will lock in and keep them in the frame.

In addition to live streaming, this firmware update additionally supports video conferencing both hand-held and in AI camera mode. For this, the drone gives 720P and 1080P video options which are on par or even surpasses many consumer laptops, which still generally use a low-quality onboard webcam.

Similar to live streaming, hand gesture control and AI facial recognition also contribute to enhancing video conferencing, for example, Smart AI allows you to start a conference without having to press a button and facial recognition will track you and keep focus throughout the meeting or presentation.

PowerEgg X is compatible with YouTube, Periscope, and TikTok for live streaming. However, if you are a TikTok user, you will need more than 1000 fans to enable this feature. For video conferencing mode, the drone supports Zoom, Skype, DingTalk, Tencent Meeting, and others, including both Windows and Mac system users.

PowerVision has packed the PowerEgg X with not only unique physical possibilities but also continues to add software features that directly address the needs the company sees in the market, like for remote working purposes or to allow for flexible high-quality content creation. For some, this might be a device that is trying to do too much as a drone, camcorder, and webcam, but PowerVision seems to believe that there is a market for a device that is the Swiss Army knife of content creation tools.

The PowerEgg X is available for $799 at the time of publication, which is rather competitive compared to the market of just drones -- which typically ask for at least as much for similar features and rarely weather resistance -- and may be an even better bargain considering how much this particular product promises it can do.

#equipment #news #aerialdrone #ai #aipowered #artificialintelligence #camcorder #contentcreation #drone #livestream #livestreaming #powereggx #powervision