By site editor Dan Chung:
The use of drones in public spaces has become a contentious issue in many countries. Lawmakers worried about public safety issues are increasingly legislating against flying in or near populated areas. In the UK, for example, it is illegal to fly commercially in populated areas without special clearances, a drone that meets the correct specifications and certification. Even then, you can’t fly close to the public.
In an attempt to allay fears of drones flying out of the control of their operators and crashing into people or property, some drone operators have been tethering their craft to the ground. This prevents flyaways and gives people around it a clear visual indication of the drone’s presence. It also makes it easier for the operator to clear people out of a safety zone around him or her, with the tether as its radius.
At the NAB show earlier this year we saw the Fotokite, a professional tethered solution that was designed for broadcasters and commercial operators. It had several intelligent features that made launching and flying the device safer and much easier. This version cost several thousand Euros and has been used by news organisations like the BBC.
Today, Perspective Robotics AG have launched an Indiegogo campaign to sell a consumer version of the Fotokite, priced at just $349 US. The Fotokite Phi uses much of the technology from the professional version but at a much lower price point.
The Fotokite Phi is designed to fit easily into backpacks or suitcases and weighs a mere 12 ounces. Despite the low weight it can carry a GoPro 3, 3+ or 4 camera. There is a 26 foot leash included and this signals to bystanders that the drone is in operation. Power is from a swappable internal battery that will give up to 15 minutes flight time and can be charged via USB.
Fotokite Phi animation from Dan Chung on Vimeo.
The company say that the design has already received special exemptions to be flown near crowds in Switzerland and France. They are seeking similar exemptions from the FAA in the US.
Unlike more professional tethered drones the Fotokite Phi does not provide power along the tether cable, but at the price this is hardly surprising.
There is no brushless gimbal, although the company says it has a vibration stabilisation system (similar to the one used in this sledding video). They say this is primarily to save weight, but whether this will be good enough for professional productions remains to be seen.
Once launched, the drone can be directed in two ways. The first is by holding down the button of the “smart leash” and moving your wrist. The second is via an Android app. The firm says an iOS version may be possible in future, though it’s not promising.
I can see this Fotokite Phi becoming a standard piece of news gathering kit for budget-minded news shooters and documentary makers, provided that the drone gets the appropriate exemptions for use. We will be following the progress of this one closely.
For more info go to the Fotokite Phi Indiegogo page.
