Parrot launches first consumer-grade, fixed-wing FPV drone
A snip at $2499.
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Hawke’s Bay
French company Parrot has launched what it calls the first consumer-grade fixed-wing drone with FPV (first-person view).
The "Disco" will be available in New Zealand for (and you might want to sit down before you read this next bit) $2499.
The price includes a controller, and a pair of video goggles or "Cockpit Glasses" (pictured below) that give you a real-time feed from the Disco's 1080p HD nose-cam (just remember the CAA's drone rules, including its prohibition on flying above a person, or their property, without permission -- and the Privacy Commissioner's advice to be careful about footage shot by drones and dashcams).
The Disco has auto takeoff, landing and flight modes, though the takeoff bit does need a human assist (see video clip below).
There's also a full manual mode. Flight time is 45 minutes. On-board storage is 32GB. Top speed is 80km.
It can't hover; it always has to be moving forward. But the Disco can be set to loiter in a lazy circle on auto-pilot.
A Disco is on its way for review at NBR (keep an eye on Scott Bartley's Toybox column).
It's possible we'll also use it for the world's first drone-delivery of a business newspaper; stay tuned as we check Simon Bridges' availability.
If you don't fancy the Cockpit Glasses, the Disco's camera can also feed to an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.
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Parrot launches first consumer-grade, fixed-wing FPV drone
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