CES 2018 Drone Highlights
Intel, captures CES 2018 innovative spirit with 250 airborne drones that opened the event with a spectacular light display above the Ballegio fountains. An inspiring launch that captured the ethos of that awesome tech conference held annually in Las Vegas. The latest advances in Drone technology, both for consumer, and commercial markets breathes fresh excitement into an industry renowned for its unstoppable potential.
The best display of tech advances comes from the commercial fields. A wider cost parameter enables the industry to produce more sophisticated devices. Thunder Tiger Sirius CX -180 a 60km fast helicopter drone that Daniel Haung, (Manger of International Marketing), states as, ‘Designed mainly for rescue teams, law enforcement, and police,’ has a nifty radar systems that locates / and detects live survivors via thermal imaging. The drones powerful LED lights enables its launch both night / and day. A life saving device that truly captures the potential of drone science.
Power Dolphin, (£705), by Power Vision is another drone that can rescue by its ability to deliver a life belt to distraught swimmers. The drones design falls within the hobbyist market making it an affordable / and practical addition to any life guard. The drone can move across / and below the water for approx 2hrs. What’s unique is it’s diversity of function. The sonar radar / and 4k videoing allows water sports capture, below surface mapping, and fish detection, and is equipped with a bait hook. An impressive drone that’s marketed as a lifestyle robot to capture its chameleon flare.
CES, showcasing of high lift delivery drones for the construction industry was jaw- droppingly impressive. The Nuaviation Hyper lift 200E from a Lakeside, Florida company boosts 91 kg weight carrying capability, and a 7hr flight time moving at 40 miles per hour. The hybrid drone in its design stage will bring remarkable advances to offshore deliveries, agricultural applications, and search, and rescue. Drone tech really is an exciting area, and one that is pushing boundaries in a breath taking way. Mark Boyd, (Company’s president) stated, ‘Its not difficult to build a UAV that lifts hundreds of pounds. But, to build one to operate safely, and dependable over great distances is difficult, expensive, and time consuming, but that’s what we intend to do’ The quote captures the pioneering spirit that runs through the very veins of the industry.
The same spirit behind the air borne quad taxi. Intel’s chief executive, (Brian Krzanich), experienced the delights of commercial tech by coming the first passenger to fly inside this awesome drone. Exhibitors / and visitors saw exclusive footage of Volocopter 2, (Human Air Taxi), launch, fly, and land in a secret hanger near Munich. At the CES the credible 18 propeller Air Taxi was re-launched within a cage for safety purposes. The futuristic drone, (Still in test stage), gives a glimpse into how drones can reshape our future. Quoting on his experience, ‘That was fantastic. The best flight l have ever had. Everybody will fly one of these someday.’ The beauty of such drones is the ability to climb inside, and experience drone flight for real.
Flying down to lower tech heights consumer drones is the nearest most us will get to experiencing immersive flight . Oori, a 60mph micro quad copter drone by Uvify’s will give speeds of a falcon. Its mood changing lights, and palm size parameters give it an unquestionable charm. Its unique to equally sized quads due to speeds / and packaged extras. A front live stream camera, cockpit view/ and FPV normally associated with larger models makes it idea for practising / and developing RC racing skills. The flight time is limited to 6mins,. A promising drone that may set a trend for smaller devices entering RC racing.
The new Typhoon H Plus will put a smile on aerial photographer faces. An upgrade to the original Typhon by a boost to its low light capabilities. It comes with an impressive I inch 20mp aperture lens camera, (4 K & 60fps), promising stability in 30 mph winds, and automatic obstacle avoidance. Available mid 2018 with an expected UK price £1, 335
The beauty of drone tech is its ability to meet the needs of buyers from differing spectrum’s. The showcased Air selfie 2 is a prime example. The palm sized upgrade boosts better performance in both flight / field of view, and camera. The spec’s of a 12mp camera within a 18metres range, and 16GB storage levels its design function. The £220 drone is made/ and for selfie lovers who want to capture life through a lens.
Tello, is a drone designed for the younger market. Simplicity of use, a 13 min’s flight time, with cute flight pattern chops for setting parameters. It weighs just 2.8 ounces ideal for small hands, and comes with a 360 degrees rotating camera, (5mp snaps/ and video). The price is small too retailing at £75. A really cool drone that allows children to have their first experience, and play with flight with the joy of capturing what’s around them.
DJI, a leading market in consumer drones showed cased its available models. Its recently released Maverick Pro has a 27mins flight time, (7 Km range), with speeds 65 km. Designed to make every moment an aerial moment. Its 4 vision sensors, 4k camera stabilized by a 3 axis gimbal, flight autonomy (Precise hovering), makes it the most powerful portable drone within the market. The drone retails at £1, 099, and is available now.
Parrot, a french based drone company did not show case. The company announced it wanted to concentrate on the commercial market, and at CES’s 2019 we’re mostly likely see some soaring stuff. The Parrot disco launched by Henri Seydoux in 2016 was inspired by his passion to make flying like a bird super easy, and accessible. A company characterized by its passionate flare will be one to look out for at the next CES.
A most suitable drone to end CES18 is Evo by Autel Robotics. A Maverick clone with remarkable in flight stability. Its name is an abbreviation of ‘ Evolution OF Flight. The airborne steadiness reflects its proud name. A folding quad that virtually hovered still in absent of GPS during CES reviews reflects its uniqueness. Sonar sensors, and cameras underneath enable its steadiness of flight, and image capture. Flying within 4.34 mile range its 900M dual bands enable optimal HD imagery of 4k 60 FPS. Equipped with 3D mapping, Ambarella H2 processor, and tracking coupled with its stillness makes it the must drone for all keen aerial photographers, and flyers. Autal Robotics has yet to release price, but promises one shortly.
