GoPro to launch its own drone
GoPro is poised to exploit the burgeoning drone market by manufacturing its own range of drones fitted with GoPro cameras. GoPro already manufacture accessories to hold or mount their cameras but remote-controlled quadrocopters present a much larger investment in technology and R&D. The company plans to start selling them late next year.
Flush with capital from their recent IPO, the move is in response to existing drone manufacturers such as Parrot and DJI Technology fitting their products with in-house cameras. DJI is the world's largest manufacturer of drones, they launched the hugely popular Phantom quadcopter in early 2013 generating sales of US$130 million last year. The Wall Street Journal has reported that DJI's revenue is expected to rise at least threefold this year.
GoPro are aiming for a price point between $500 and $1000 which places them in the middle of the market – Parrot retail for $300 while DJI Phantom retail for around $1,000. Other manufacturers of drones include 3D Robotics, Skybotix, Micro Drone, Walkera, and Storm, amongst many others.
GoPro's entry will squeeze an already crowded marketplace. A situation observers and regulatory bodies expect to see reflected in the skies. In the US the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) will announce new rules next month for commercial drones. While the Civil Aviations Safety Authority (CASA), Australia's national body, announced new drone laws on the 10th November that make it illegal to fly any drone for commercial gain – that includes surf photos and videos - without certification. Recreational drone operators don't need certification, however they can't fly within 30 metres of any person, nor fly above any gathering of people, including those on a beach.
Comments
First comment in my own article - woohoo!
Just found out the FAA (US body) are proposing all commercial drone operators to have a pilots license before operating a drone. This will entail hundreds of hours flying a manned aircraft before sending up an unmanned one to take a few photos.
More info here: http://online.wsj.com/articles/drone-flights-face-faa-hit-1416793905
Talk about here come the fun police. Why have drones prompted such regulation? Remote controlled aircraft have been around for years. Drones seem less of a hazard than a diving out-of-control remote-controlled airplane.
Oh well I'd always be in the water when the waves are worth filming so I'll never be getting into drones but it may mean less footage out there - good or bad depending on who you talk to I suppose.
What about kites?
I hear that's already the rules here in OZ. If you have any "commercial" interest and i think the rule is if it's taking any type of photographic material you need a licence from a real estate agent to kids filming each other surf as you own the copyright and have potential to sell any footage.
How many cool things have we already seen due to the influx of people with drones enabling a birds eye view that we other wise wouldn't see.
Licence... http://www.uavsms.com.au/uav-controllers/
This... Additionally, an earlier version of this article stated that "any drone weighing less than two kilograms" could be legally operated without qualification. This was incorrect. Current CASA rules state that any aircraft over 200 grams that are operated for any reason other than the pure enjoyment or sport of flying are deemed to be being flown under a commercial operation, and therefore the user must be properly qualified. CASA is currently proposing new rules that would allow users to fly drones up to 2 kilograms in weight without qualifications, but only under specific circumstances.
From this article... http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/drone-flying-takes-...
GoPro now have a 'herocast' transmitter, so in the future waves that were charged like the Box could be viewed with the surfers view- live on the same WSL scoring screen , would have been epic with those death drops and long pits today.
"Sneak Peek of GoPro Quadcopter Footage"
Yep, looks like a drone.
Unrelated, but still worth the lols.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/73479572/stray-ball-takes-down-drone