Ought to DJI be terrified of the HOVERAir AQUA drone?

Zero Zero Robotics turned heads with yesterday’s launch on Indiegogo of the HOVERAir AQUA drone. The HOVERAir Aqua is a water-resistant, self-flying digital camera drone that follows you hands-free when you’re out on the water doing actions like paddleboarding, snorkeling or jetskiing — all with out worrying a few splash taking it down.

Listed here are a few of the HOVERAir Aqua drone’s key specs:

• 4K/100 fps slow-motion digital camera with a 1/1.28” CMOS sensor and hydrophobic lens
• 23 minutes of flight time
• Light-weight (underneath 249g, so no FAA registration required)
• Degree 7 wind resistance (as much as 33 knots)
• Monitoring speeds as much as 34 mph
• Greater than 15 automated flight modes, together with “snorkel mode” and “gimbal mode”
• An adjunct referred to as the Lighthouse, worn in your arm, that acts like a controller with a built-in “digital tether”
• A tiny built-in AMOLED display screen for reside preview and playback with no need a cellphone

All that for early chook pricing of $999.

The HOVERAir Aqua is a intelligent product, and it’s significantly notable as a result of DJI has by no means supplied something prefer it. Which raises the enjoyable query: ought to DJI (simply the world’s most dominant drone maker) be fearful?

A historical past of pushing DJI

Whereas DJI completely dominates the drone area, I’ll say that Zero Zero is likely one of the solely firms that has ever managed to push DJI in specs and supply a powerful DJI different. Many different DJI rivals, like Autel, have largely solely amounted to tearing off what DJI has already made. Zero Zero is likely one of the few that has innovated by itself.

The HOVERAir X1 proved that when it launched in 2023. Zero Zero added on to it a 12 months later with even spiffier fashions: the HoverAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX.

The HOVERAir line of folding drones had specs and options that, in some methods, beat DJI at its personal recreation. These drones stood out with its ultra-portable, hands-free, AI-powered monitoring. However additionally they had some points, together with low cost design that simply broke.

So then — because the drone-making powerhouse nearly all the time does — DJI answered again with merchandise just like the DJI Flip. The Flip took lots of those self same concepts that we noticed with the HOVERAir, however then polished them to perfection.

That’s the dynamic I really like watching: Zero Zero innovates on the sides, and DJI swoops in to refine and mainstream these improvements.

With the HOVERAir AQUA drone, Zero Zero is as soon as once more going the place DJI hasn’t: into the water.

Will DJI make a water-resistant drone?

DJI drones are famously cautious in relation to the weather. Most DJI fashions warn you about flying in mild rain. The closest DJI will go to waterproof is the DJI Matrice 4D drone, which options IP55-rated mud and water resistance, however that basically solely signifies that the drone can operate in mild rain. Plus, that drone is a whopping $5,500 — which isn’t one thing common customers would probably purchase for his or her Hawaiian surf trip.

Usually talking although, DJI drones are constructed for the skies, not the ocean. AQUA, in contrast, brags about being the world’s first 100% waterproof flying digital camera. It’s designed to drift, fly and sustain even when it will get dunked. That opens up new territory — browsing footage, paddleboarding pictures, fishing movies and even simply carefree household lake days with out the fixed “oh no, don’t splash the drone!” anxiousness.

May DJI make one thing like this? I’m prepared to say completely. DJI has the engineering muscle, the provision chain, the advertising attain. If it decides waterproofing is a worthwhile mass-market characteristic, it might out-execute Zero Zero in months. However DJI is strategic. It doesn’t often chase area of interest classes. It waits till one thing proves there’s a large viewers, then drops in with the larger, higher model. If AQUA turns into greater than a gimmick — if it exhibits there’s actual demand — DJI might very effectively comply with.

Ought to DJI be terrified of the HOVERAir AQUA drone?

So ought to DJI be scared proper now? I’m going to say no. Let’s not neglect that AQUA is launching on Indiegogo. Regardless that Zero Zero is a reliable firm with patents and VC backing, crowdfunding campaigns all the time include caveats (keep in mind the Lily drone?!). Typically the ultimate product doesn’t reside as much as the promise. Typically the manufacturing scale isn’t there. And even when it really works completely, DJI nonetheless owns the buyer drone distribution channels, the retailer relationships and the model belief.

However right here’s what DJI ought to do: listen. With the HOVERAir AQUA drone, Zero Zero has as soon as once more discovered a technique to zig the place DJI zags. They’ve made waterproofing right into a consumer-friendly story. They’re displaying there’s urge for food for a drone that doesn’t panic at a splash. And if that urge for food is actual, I’d wager cash DJI has a water-resistant drone blueprint tucked in a drawer someplace, able to roll out the second they see traction.

For my part, DJI doesn’t have to be scared simply but. But when I have been DJI? I’d a minimum of get my toes moist.

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