GoPro Reportedly Working on a Line of Consumer Drones
According to recent report, GoPro is developing its own line of consumer drones with high-definition cameras that might launch as soon as next year. The company’s core business is to make wearable video cameras popular with surfers and other sports enthusiasts.
The company plans to start selling multirotor helicopters equipped with high-definition cameras late next year, aiming for a price tag between $500 and $1,000, according to the report. The drone market has been flourishing recently with electronic giants investing money in this lucrative market.
Drones, which are essentially unmanned aircrafts, are becoming smaller, cheaper and easier to fly with technological advancements. Consumer drones are typically lightweight helicopters with cameras that can be controlled with a tablet or smartphone. However, series of regulations and rules have restricted the use of drones for consumer needs. In the US, regulators allow their use by hobbyists with a long list of rules.
For the drone industry, the GoPro drone marks a new splash in the quickly expanding market. GoPro needs to offer something that differentiates it from its competition – both Parrot and DJI, two market leaders in consumer aerial drones. These companies have launched next-generation hardware with advanced camera features, including advanced onboard software image stabilisation and 4K recording. GoPro cameras are already compatible with several consumer drones in the market.
