Just been thinking about a new drone idea, i think a drone with a 360 degree camera on it would be a great idea, it would save people attaching the 360 cameras on to drones, it would be kinda cool
Drones are developing all the time, and no doubt there will be new features in the future that will enhance the flying experience. I’d like to see waterproofing, so that one could fly in the rain and worry less about crashing into water; in fact, drones that float wouldn’t be a bad thing! I also think that drones should have built in lights; some do, but my Mini 2 SE doesn’t.
I wonder if bladeless fan techology could be used to replace quad propellers. This would save weight which could be used by other features on sub-250g drones and perhaps extend battery life.
How about parachutes for use in the event of a power failure or mid-air birdstrike/tree jumping out at you, or a balloon inflated by CO2 cylinder triggered by impact. Of course, the drone’s downward trajectory would be affected by wind, but it would prevent impact damage and enhance the chances of the drone being usable afterwards.
Sorry, I get like this on these long dark Sunday afternoon teatimes of the soul…
Far and away a mile at the top of any wish list would be to be able to take RAW stills whilst recording video.
PLEASE, DJI!
Oo, yeah, that’s a good one!
How about solar panels on top of the drone to extend battery life? Or even power the thing completely.
I was being sensibly realistic. It’s technically possible to do both video and stills. My 10 year old, mid range, DSLR can do it.
The size of solar panel needed would be heavier than the drone can lift - that was need a bigger battery and bigger motors and bigger props - that would need a bigger solar panel … ad infinitum.
Ok, scrap the solar panels then, but the technology is improving all the time, so maybe, one day…
I very much doubt it.
The fundamentals will never change. Gravity is a constant, and the weight is what it is.
The efficiency of props after 100 years has probably reached it’s limit.
The power that a solar panel can produce cannot exceed the power contained within the solar stream.
Luckily, that’s not a lot - or as humans we’d all cook to death.
They’re over here: https://greyarro.ws/search?q=swellpro
And these, are over here: https://greyarro.ws/search?q=parachute
Well I never! CO2/balloon may offer weight/space savings, but the principle is proven! The waterproof drones are interesting but the price is a bit salty for this poor pensioner, sitting over a candle in his fingerless mitts (cue tragic violins). Obviously intended for serious overwater flying!
They are indeed
A couple of our members have a Swellpro, fascinating bit of kit which I’d love to see first hand.
Ahem
I thought someone might pick up on that… Looks too big to be brought down by gulls, and it would float even if it was. Poor Mr Drone went staight in, plop, and was never seen again!
absolutely this! Also, I’d like the image quality of my Nikon Z8 in a 249gm drone.