GoPro's USPTO filing: "This disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining predicted risk for a flight path of an unmanned aerial vehicle. A previously stored three-dimensional representation of a user-selected location may be obtained. The three-dimensional representation may be derived from depth maps of the user-selected location generated during previous unmanned aerial vehicle flights. The three-dimensional representation may reflect a presence of objects and object existence accuracies for the individual objects. The object existence accuracies for the individual objects may provide information about accuracy of existence of the individual objects within the user-selected location. A user-created flight path may be obtained for a future unmanned aerial flight within the three-dimensional representation of the user-selected location. Predicted risk may be determined for individual portions of the user-created flight path based upon the three-dimensional representation of the user-selected location."

"Steptoe has secured a significant trial victory for Autel Robotics USA at the US International Trade Commission (ITC). On March 2, the chief administrative law judge of the ITC found that SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. and seven related entities (together known as “DJI”), the world’s largest maker of consumer drones, violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, by importing and selling drones that infringe US Patent No. 9, 260,184 belonging to Autel.

As a result, the chief administrative law judge recommended that the infringing products be excluded from importation into the United States, including the Mavic Pro, Mavic Pro Platinum, Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 2 Zoom, Mavic Air, and Spark. Together these represent some of DJI’s most popular drones sold in the United States. "

Specs

• A 1/2.3" CMOS sensor
• 3-axis gimbal
• 24mm (equiv.) F2.8 lens
• 12MP still images w/ Raw support
• 4K/30p video with 100 Mbps H.264 codec
• Full HD video up to 120fps
• 32-megapixel spherical panorama mode
• HDR capture mode
• 8GB internal storage in addition to MicroSD card
• Foldable legs with integrated omnidirectional antenna
• Updated flight autonomy system with 3D modeling
• Improved ActiveTrack technology
• New 'Asteroid' and 'Boomerang' intelligent flight modes
• Obstacle-avoidance sensors in the front, back, and bottom
• Advanced pilot awareness system (APAS)
• Visual positioning system for better control, hovering and indoor flying
• 2.5 mile range with controller
• 42.5 Mph in Sport Mode
• Flight ceiling of 16,404 ft.
• 21-minute flight time
• USB-C port
• Compatible with DJI's SDK for third party applications
• Normal set for $799 at
  • https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1384890-REG/dji_cp_pt_00000138_01_mavic_air_arctic_white.html
  • https://www.adorama.com/djimaw.html
• Fly more set for $999
  • https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1385841-REG/dji_cp_pt_00000165_01_mavic_air_fly_more.html

Drone info and available at buy at

http://store.dji.com/product/phantom-4-pro#/

PR

November 15, 2016 – DJI, the world leader in unmanned aerial technology, Tuesday introduced two new drones that raise the bar for professional imaging: Inspire 2, the best ready-to-fly platform for high-end film and video creators, and Phantom 4 Pro, the smartest and most creative flying camera of its size.

“Professional filmmakers and photographers always push to create images that have never been seen before, and DJI never stops trying to give them the tools to achieve their vision,” said DJI CEO and Founder Frank Wang. “Our newest flight platforms and stabilized aerial cameras are smarter, faster and more powerful than ever before. We can’t wait to see how creators use Inspire 2 and Phantom 4 Pro to capture dazzling images.”

Professional Imaging

Phantom 4 Pro offers a powerful imaging system for professional photo and video creators as well as non-professionals who demand excellence from the camera and platform they use to pursue their creative visions. The camera now packs a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor, and almost 12 stops of dynamic range bring out levels of detail and low-light performance unprecedented in a flying camera of this size. Its mechanical shutter eliminates rolling shutter distortion in fast-moving scenes. Phantom 4 Pro can capture slow-motion 4K video up to 60 fps at a maximum bitrate of 100 mbps. In addition, the Phantom 4 Pro offers H.265 video compression, which substantially improves video quality at the same bitrate.

Reliable with Enhanced FlightAutonomy System

Phantom 4 Pro builds on DJI’s original obstacle avoidance system with FlightAutonomy – three sets of visual systems that build a 3D map of obstacles in front, behind and below the aircraft, as well as infrared sensing systems on both sides. FlightAutonomy can position, navigate and plan routes for Phantom 4 Pro, enabling it to avoid obstacles in a sensing range up to 98 feet at front and rear, even in complex 3D environments. When returning to home and tapping to initiate auto takeoff or landing, the Landing Protection function is able to detect and help avoid landing on uneven ground or water. Phantom 4 Pro has high-performance battery technology that provides up to 30 minutes of flight time. The Phantom 4 Pro flies at 31 mph in P mode with obstacle avoidance in effect, and has a 45 mph top speed in sport mode.

Professional Control with New Remote Controller

Phantom 4 Pro’s revolutionary new compact remote controller comes with an optional high luminance display, providing a clear and vivid live HD view from the main camera as well as essential telemetry data, even in direct sunlight. The aircraft will automatically choose between 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz once powering on to gain a clear signal in areas with high radio interference. The new controller has a built-in GPS, compass, Micro-SD card slot and HDMI port.

Intelligent Flight

New intelligent flight modes make Phantom 4 Pro the smartest flying camera of its size, opening new vistas for creators, such as the new Draw Mode that allows operators to draw lines on the controller display and direct the Phantom 4 Pro to fly that route.

ActiveTrack recognizes common subjects such as people and bikes, then follows them from any angle while maintaining camera focus, and includes three new modes – New Circle, Profile and Spotlight.

Narrow sensing enhances obstacle avoidance sensitivity so the aircraft can fly through complex environments like narrow doorways. TapFly now works backwards and comes with a new Free mode that allows a pilot to set the direction of flight, turn the Phantom 4 Pro or tilt the gimbal without changing the direction of flight. With the new AR Route feature, operators will be able to tell the flight route on the screen.

As an additional safety feature, within a minute of losing GPS signal, the aircraft will automatically return to the last connected position and hover there precisely to wait for the pilot’s command. With the enhanced return to home function, the aircraft knows where it should be going from up to 984 feet away and avoids obstacles along the route.

Price and Availability

Phantom 4 Pro’s U.S. retail price is $1,499 with a standard controller. The Phantom 4 Pro, which includes a Phantom 4 Pro aircraft, and a high luminance display remote controller, will be available at $1,799. Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Pro are immediately available for pre-order at dji.com/phantom-4-pro and DJI flagship stores in Shenzhen, Seoul and Hong Kong. These products will begin shipping one week after launch.

Product info and available to buy at DJI Store at:

http://store.dji.com/product/inspire-2#/

November 15, 2016 – DJI, the world leader in unmanned aerial technology, Tuesday introduced two new drones that raise the bar for professional imaging: Inspire 2, the best ready-to-fly platform for high-end film and video creators, and Phantom 4 Pro, the smartest and most creative flying camera of its size.

“Professional filmmakers and photographers always push to create images that have never been seen before, and DJI never stops trying to give them the tools to achieve their vision,” said DJI CEO and Founder Frank Wang. “Our newest flight platforms and stabilized aerial cameras are smarter, faster and more powerful than ever before. We can’t wait to see how creators use Inspire 2 and Phantom 4 Pro to capture dazzling images.”

Advanced Imaging for Professional Results

Inspire 2 offers powerful capabilities and is easy to operate. The nimble new magnesium-aluminum alloy body increases stiffness while lowering weight. It has a top speed of 67 mph and takes only 4 seconds to accelerate to 50 mph. With the new dual battery system, flight time is up to 27 minutes. A new forward-facing camera offers the pilot the best flight view for operating the master controller, while the camera operator receives a separate feed from the professional Zenmuse camera mounted on the main gimbal. The Inspire 2 supports the brand-new Zenmuse X4S and X5S cameras and will support additional cameras in the future.

An entirely new image processing system, called CineCore 2.0, is embedded into the airframe, which allows processing large files faster than ever before. Inspire 2 captures 5.2K video at 4.2 Gbps for Adobe CinemaDNG RAW videos and leverages a newly-designed, fast CINESSD storage for a smooth work experience. A variety of video compression formats are supported by CineCore 2.0, including Adobe CinemaDNG, Apple ProRes 422 HQ (5.2K, 4K) and ProRes 4444 XQ (4K), H.264, and H.265. When recording 4K video in H.264 and H.265, the birate is up to 100Mbps.

Inspire 2 offers professional capability and control suitable for many scenarios. With optional high-altitude propellers, Inspire 2 can reach a maximum service ceiling of 16,404 feet above sea level, and the self-heating dual battery redundancy system maintains good performance of the battery to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Through an optimized mode, Inspire 2 streams smooth video at the widely used 1080i50/720p60 broadcast standard. Enhanced Lightbridge video transmission makes smoother HDMI video possible.

High Performance and Professional Reliability

The dual-battery system ensures that if one battery fails during a flight, the other will be able to provide power for a safe return to home. Stereo vision sensors have been included on the front and bottom of Inspire 2 for obstacle detection, and upward facing infrared sensors on top of the aircraft add protection when flying in enclosed spaces.

The redesigned propulsion system can safely carry Inspire 2 through incredible vertical camera moves, climbing at almost 20 feet/second and descending at almost 30 feet/second. Redundant systems provide reliability for the IMU, barometer, electronic speed controller communication and satellite navigation modules. The master and slave controller range now extends to 328 feet and users can switch between 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies to cut through any noise for greater signal stability.

Creative Freedom

Inspire 2’s new intelligent flight modes expand DJI’s computer vision technology to safely fly routes that give creators new ways to capture what they envision. Spotlight Pro Mode locks onto a subject during flight while the aircraft flies freely in another direction – and automatically rotates the aircraft to stay on the shot if the gimbal reaches its rotational limit. The forward-facing camera offers TapFly, which directs Inspire 2 to any point on the screen while avoiding obstacles along the way. ActiveTrack recognizes common subjects such as people, cars and animals, sending Inspire 2 to follow behind, lead in front, circle above or track alongside while always flying forward, ensuring the forward-facing obstacle sensing system keeps the aircraft safe.

New Zenmuse Cameras

DJI is enhancing the imaging potential of the Inspire 2 by expanding its line of interchangeable Zenmuse cameras, which are designed for aerial imaging and communicate directly with the aircraft’s gimbal and flight controllers. For situations that require a balance between weight and image quality, the new Zenmuse X4S has a 1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor with 11.6 stops of dynamic range and a 24 mm equivalent focal length. The Zenmuse X4S offers aperture control (f2.8-11) and a mechanical shutter that cancels rolling shutter distortion. The new Zenmuse X5S has a larger Micro Four Thirds sensor with 20.8 megapixels and an incredible 12.8 stops of dynamic range. The Zenmuse X5S camera now supports 8 lenses from wide angles to zooms. It shoots 20fps continuous burst DNG RAW (20.8 MP). In the future, a handheld mount will be available for the Zenmuse X4S and X5S cameras, bringing those cameras down to the ground for more flexible filmmaking.

Professional Accessories to Enhance Performance

A series of powerful DJI accessories will meet the needs of operators under various filming conditions. DJI Focus, a battery charging station, DJI CINESSD, CINESSD station and other optional accessories are available.

An optional DJI Crystalsky high-brightness IPS monitor features an ultra-bright screen that is clearly visible in direct sunlight and ideal for outdoor shooting. It comes in 5.5-inch and 7.85-inch sizes, with the highest brightness up to 1000 cd/m2 and 2000 cd/m2 respectively, and its dedicated system reduces video transmission latency. Dual Micro-SD Card slots within the screen make it easy to back up footage and can also be used to transfer and play back files. It operates in extreme temperature conditions from -4 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

ONTARIO, CA (February 1, 2017) — Yuneec International, a world leader in electric aviation, today announced significant upgrades to its flagship professional sUAS platform, the H920, creating the H920 Plus and improved ProAction handheld grip. The new features and functions integrated into the H920 Plus commercial platform allow field service providers and cinematographers to capture aerial and ground content safely and precisely for a variety of industrial applications such as inspection, emergency response, production sets and beyond.

The H920 Plus includes the ST16 Pro Ground Station which operates on an Android platform with an integrated transmitter, flight controls and large 7-inch screen display with a HD 720p video downlink for real-time flight footage and an HDMI uplink for distribution to external monitors, command/control centers, or broadcast trucks. The refined main control system now allows pilots to not only save settings but also select various mission task modes: Orbit Me, Point of Interest, Journey, Curve Cable Cam as well as waypoints, providing a bevy of programed options for high-end commercial use. Users can also utilize video and image playback on the ST16 Pro and download aerial maps to cache H920 Plus waypoints.

Yuneec will offer its CGO4 – developed in close cooperation with Panasonic® – with an all-new histogram, 4/3 CMOS Sensor, 3x optical zoom 14-42mm, 16 megapixels and 4k 30FPS/ 100 Mbps video resolution as the H920 Plus core camera. The CGO4 body is compatible with three lenses: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2.0, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.8 and Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ. Additionally, the H920 Plus supports the CGO series of camera platforms: CGO3+ 3-axis anti-vibration gimbal 4K UHD camera, CGO-CI camera with all-glass, seven-element lens for cinema and inspection and CGO-ET dual thermal RGB camera designed for law enforcement, search & rescue and solar inspection applications. Yuneec’s CGO-ET is the industry’s first camera to combine simultaneous thermal and residual light capture. All of the cameras can be operated either in Single Mode or Team Mode. Single Mode allows users to control the camera and UAV through one ST16 Pro, while Team Mode allows a second ST16 Pro to operate the camera independent of flight.

“Our engineers not only addressed core needs, but developed a sUAS platform that excels in a variety of applications for professional users,” said Wen Yan Jiang, Group CEO and Chairwoman of Yuneec International Co., Ltd. “We’re offering waypoints through aerial maps, mission task modes, and a high-end, versatile Panasonic based camera system with multiple lens options for crisp aerial footage when affixed to the H920 Plus and smooth ground footage with the ProAction Grip.”

The H920 Plus is outfitted with a carbon fiber fuselage and arms creating a light, yet durable and stable platform optimal for use in industrial and commercial environments. It also features a six-rotor design capable of emergency flight with only five rotors, quick-disconnect props and a 360-degree, 3-axis gimbal coupled with retractable landing gear that provides an unobstructed view from any angle. The camera and gimbal are capable of a 20 degree up-angle for upward-looking inspections.

The ProAction Grip is a dual-grip ground handle that extends the CGO4 from sky to ground, allowing users to capture ultra-stable and remarkably steady footage in the most turbulent circumstances. Users simply connect their smart device with the ProAction ground handle through the CGO4 app, available for free in the App Store and Google Play Store, to seamlessly view a live HD video feed and control the CGO4 gimbal.

The H920 Plus maintains Yuneec’s focus on safety with features such as Geo-fencing, Variable Speed Control, Dynamic Return Home and Low-Battery Return Home. The H920 Plus is available now and will be offered in a variety of configurations with prices ranging from $2,499 to $3,999. The ProAction handle and CGO4 bundle is available now for $1,500. For more information visit http://www.yuneec.com

General thread rule: Please post any and all things pertaining to the 3DR Solo only please!

Here is our most recent technical demonstration with the SOLO.

Thanks

I came across the interesting alternative to the Inspire 1. They are currently still pre-selling at their Indiegogo pricing. Features include:

1. Optical Flow sensor for indoor operation
2. Ultra sonic sensors for collision avoidance and smoother landings
3. Detachable payload with 3-axis gimbal option for larger than Go Pro cameras up to 450 grams. (requires 8x Arm upgrade)
4. Swam technology that allows for flying 3 drones at the same time while tracking each other's position for coordinated multi-drone shoots.
5. Follow me mode so that it will chase you by following your cell phone's GPS.
6. Smart phone control
7. Goes up to 42 miles per hours with the 8x arm upgrade
8. Has a built-in speaker that will talk to you and provide its status
9. Hardshell backpack case for those who want to take it in the wild or keep it safe in transport
10. Low introductory pricing - shipping March/April so they anticipate.

Not sure how much longer they will keep the price at this level. I purchased a few days ago and the website continues to say 1 day left...

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/plexidrone-making-aerial-photography-a-breeze http://plexidrone.com/