• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

PhoneDrone on Shark Tank

xCraftDrones

xCraftDrones

Lurker
Hi Guys -
We're new to this forum and wanted to let you know about a new product we're developing. It's called the PhoneDrone. Some of you provably saw us on Shark Tank two weeks ago.

The idea is to give your phone wings to be able to fly and autonomously follow you. This is what it looks like and we would like to know what you guys think.
main-image400.jpg


If you have any questions, let us know.
 
I moved this to the lounge. Please don't solicit our members for donations or such, or I will need to remove the thread. As it stands now it seems like a fun topic for discussion.

So, how does it work? I mean how does it follow you and keep the phone at an angle where the camera stays focused on you?
 
Unforgiven said:
I moved this to the lounge. Please don't solicit our members for donations or such, or I will need to remove the thread. As it stands now it seems like a fun topic for discussion.

So, how does it work? I mean how does it follow you and keep the phone at an angle where the camera stays focused on you?
Click to expand...
Thanks for moving it. I want to make it very clear though, we're not spamming anyone here, I personally run a community and I do not like spammers. I just wanted to get that out there.

It follows your Apple Watch or another phone or tablet that is tethered to it via bluetooth or WiFi. The camera doesn't have a gimbal so it's a wide angle shot. It comes with a periscope that allows the camera from the phone look forward or sideways.

Alex -
 
I can see this being popular, but that may present another problem. How do you handle collision avoidance. Like if 2 or three people are using one of these at the same event? I guess that could be a problem for any drone, but most are piloted, where this is like a puppy on a leash.
 
scary alien said:
I saw that episode! Very cool!

I love the concept of using the phone as the driver/ brains / guts of the drone--brilliant!

I know you said you guys were still working on it...will be following the progress of this :).
Click to expand...
Thank you. Yes we're in the latest developments right now and already started taking early sales on kickstarter.

That's why we're able to sell it for under $200, because it uses the phone as its brain.

Alex -
Unforgiven said:
I can see this being popular, but that may present another problem. How do you handle collision avoidance. Like if 2 or three people are using one of these at the same event? I guess that could be a problem for any drone, but most are piloted, where this is like a puppy on a leash.
Click to expand...

We don't have collision avoidance, yet. Yes, it's like a puppy on a leash, you do have to watch where it's going because of trees and wires and things like that.
 
It was really interesting to see the Sharks' reactions when you guys busted-out the PhoneDrone prototype after the initial presentation...it was like, "hold the phone! / that's totally new and a game-changer", etc.

Great moment!

:)
 
Flying models without line of sight positive manual control are illegal in the U.S.
 
And when you reach the phone how many fingers are you going to loose? :D that came in my mind right the same time i saw the pic...
 
xCraftDrones said:
@glc the phonedrone does not fly out of line of sight, this is more of a close action capturing device.
Click to expand...


Think the problem is the "fly and autonomously follow you", I take that to mean, flying by itself. That's probably illegal under FAA rules, and CAA in UK as well, as well as EU countries, etc. unless there's an appropriate licence and certification for it. Drones are quite popular here in China, some quite inexpensive now, but all of what I've seen have direct manual control of them. I think they have a safe landing program if they should go out of range of the controller. Most drones do come from here anyway. :thumbsupdroid:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom