Solo

Press Releases

3DR Expands Series C Financing to $64 Million

3DR, North America's largest manufacturer of consumer drones and founder of the world's leading open drone software platform, today announced an expansion of its Series C round of financing from $50 million to $64 million. The additional funding is led by WestSummit Capital, with additional global investors from Asia, Europe and the U.S. participating, including SanDisk Ventures and Atlantic Bridge Ventures. 3DR initiated the Series C financing with $50 million in investment led by Qualcomm Ventures, with Foundry Group, True Ventures, OATV, Mayfield, Shea Ventures. 3DR will leverage the expertise and market knowledge from a diverse investor base to lead innovation in the dynamic and rapidly expanding global UAV market.

"3DR's roots are in a worldwide, open developer community, so creating an equally expansive global organization is a key part of company strategy," said Chris Anderson, CEO of 3DR. "China is emerging as a world leader in drone technology and production, and many of the innovative companies there are already using 3DR platforms. We see tremendous opportunity to work with investors and experts in these markets to extend that lead and work more closely with innovative young companies."

"We're active investors in the Internet of Things market and see huge promise in 3DR as a leader in next-generation robotics," saidDavid Lam, Managing Director of WestSummit Capital. "IoT is a truly international market where software meets hardware and East meets West, and 3DR has developed an incredibly advanced and globally adopted drone software and hardware platform. WestSummit Capital's China Value Creation capabilities match perfectly with 3DR's cross-border business, embracing Silicon Valley innovation, Asian manufacturing, global competition and the global market."

"We strongly believe in 3DR's vision in becoming the leading open platform for developers in the drone market. Our investment strategy in the IoT, computer vision and robotics sectors, combined with our presence in the European, American and Asian markets, will complement and support 3DR's strategy to be a global leader in the burgeoning drone industry," said Brian Long, General Partner, Atlantic Bridge Ventures.

For more information please visit www.3dr.com

About 3DR
3DR helps people see their world from above. As North America's largest personal drone company, 3DR is a pioneer in making advanced, easy-to-use drone technology accessible to consumers for a wide range of everyday exploration and photography, and for applications using data analysis, mapping, surveying and 3D modeling for agriculture, construction, infrastructure, search and rescue and ecological study.

3DR was founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson and Jordi Munoz, and currently operates with over 275 employees in North America and more than 100,000 customers worldwide. 3DR has enjoyed enormous global success with its market-leading APM software platform, the Pixhawk autopilot and Solo™: The Smart Drone.

3D Robotics introduces Solo, the world’s first smart drone

“Solo is a breakthrough in intelligent flight. It’s not just smarter so that it can do more; it’s smarter so that you have to do less. We’ve turned the Hollywood toolkit into software, and allowed everyone to experience epic video, both behind and in front of the camera.” — Chris Anderson, CEO 3D Robotics

SoloTM provides a best-of-breed flight experience and unprecedented ease of use by tapping the processing power of twin Linux® computers, technology that has enabled 3DR to make radical breakthroughs in autonomous flight and camera control. As the first drone designed with every aspect of the photographer’s experience in mind, Solo can define its own flight, freeing users to focus on getting the shot. This intelligent drone is also the first to support full control of GoPro® cameras and deliver live-streaming HD video straight to mobile devices or through the controller’s HDMI port.

Today 3DR announced Solo, an all-in-one personal drone whose ease of use and powerful new features kick off a new aerial age. With computing power unmatched in the industry—from two integrated Linux computers, one on the craft and one in the controller—Solo delivers several world-first technologies, such as unfettered in-flight access to GoPro controls, including wireless HD streaming straight to mobile devices, and effortless computer-assisted Smart Shot flight features that allow even new pilots to capture professional aerial video from day one.

“We set out a year ago with the promise of not just creating the best drone, but the best overall aerial filmmaking experience imaginable. While this meant giving Solo smooth and powerful flight dynamics, it also demanded we make a smarter drone, one that could abstract users from flying so they can focus on getting great video,” said Colin Guinn, Chief Revenue Officer of 3DR. “What our users really want is great shots. They want professional tools that enable them to get those shots easily and consistently, right out of the box. Solo delivers on this promise: You get the shot, every time.”

“Solo will expand our concept of what a drone can be and do,” said Chris Anderson, CEO of 3DR. “Solo uses advanced autonomy to make creativity easier. Rather than needing skill to capture a great shot, you can let the software do the work. Even better, you can be in the shot—you can be the subject of your life’s story, not just the director.”

Solo will launch starting at $999 in over 400 Best Buy stores across the U.S., with immediate in-store availability on May 29th. Customers can take home Solo and immediately experience the thrill of capturing stunning HD aerial photography and videography with simple, out-of-the-box setup.

Experience effortless flight

Effortless flight means effortless filming—less flight control; more creative control. Solo makes flying easier than it’s ever been with smooth and authoritative GPS satellite-guided flight, which also features auto takeoff and land, return home and the ability to instantly hit an e-brake and pause your flight midair. All these features are immediately accessible through the Solo mobile app or dedicated buttons on Solo’s remote controller.

Computer-assisted cinematography

Solo’s intelligence unlocks powerful and one-of-a-kind computer-assisted Smart Shots (patent pending). Just set up the exact shot you want in real time, then tap “play” on the app and Solo will execute it with a level of precision and a soft touch that even seasoned cinema pilots can’t match. And with a list of Smart Shots to choose from, the perfect shot is always just a few taps away. Cable cam and Orbit allow you to create a known and safe flight path along a virtual track in space, freeing you to shift your focus to getting the shot you want; or simply hit “play” and let Solo fly itself while simultaneously working the camera for you, as smooth and even as an expert cameraman. Follow mode lets you go completely hands-free, while Solo keeps up with your every move. Solo also features a one-touch aerial Selfie for a dramatic and customizable establishing Smart Shot of you and your surroundings. It’s all in service of Solo’s guiding principle: Get the shot. Every time.

Stream HD GoPro video to mobile devices or through HDMI

Solo is the world’s first drone to wirelessly deliver HD video from your GoPro to your iOS or Android mobile device, at ranges of up to half a mile. Solo’s controller has HDMI output for live HD broadcast—to FPV goggles, high-quality field monitors, Jumbotrons at live events, even news vans—and with a staggeringly low video latency your live video is immediate and fluid for an “in-the-moment” feel. For instant social sharing of your aerial videos, you can even record the live video stream directly from the mobile app to your device’s camera roll.

The Solo App for iOS and Android

3DR’s mobile development team has focused its efforts on providing a user experience never before seen with a drone. The Solo app lets you control your GoPro, choose between a live view from the camera or a satellite view of your selected shot and even change how the controller responds to commands. Solo’s app allows for automatic cloud-based logging of your flights, instant access to technical support, on-device recording of the live HD video stream and even support for future web-based control of Solo.

Fly safely

We’ve made sure that even new users will be able to fly Solo with confidence. An app-based flight simulator will allow you to fly Solo virtually, before you get off the ground. And when Solo is in the air, the “pause” button acts as an emergency airbrake, stopping the copter in its tracks until you’re ready to take control again. Additionally, you can create a virtual “safety net” within the app that limits how high Solo is allowed to fly.

The Solo Gimbal: Smart Shots; perfectly stable footage; GoPro control & charging; HD video

We worked closely with GoPro, the world’s most popular action camera company, to make the first gimbal capable of fully controlling the GoPro. Solo gives you the exclusive ability to start and stop recording video while in flight, which means that when you land you have only the shots that you wanted to take; when it comes time to edit you now have “fat free” footage, instead of dealing with huge, cumbersome files. You can also snap photos, change FOV, FPS and exposure compensation and much more—through Solo’s mobile app at long range, or dedicated buttons on the controller. The 3-axis Solo Gimbal stabilizes the camera to within 0.1 degrees of pointing accuracy and charges the GoPro so your battery doesn’t die during flight. Combined with Solo’s controller you get fine-grain tilt control, including angle presets and instant speed adjustment; or you can just create a Smart Shot, hit “play,” and Solo’s computer will fully control the gimbal for the perfect shot. The Solo Gimbal delivers all of these advanced capabilities while providing a painless and tool-free method of installing and removing the GoPro. The Solo Gimbal is sold separately for $399.

The first-ever consumer drone run by two full-blown computers

With a 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A9-powered Linux computer running on both the copter and the controller, Solo’s intelligence unleashes nearly limitless possibility and future expandability. Because we use the onboard computer’s processing power to do the heavy lifting, the autopilot becomes the “brainstem,” exclusively focused on executing the rudiments of stable and reliable flight, while the computer serves as Solo’s “frontal cortex” and handles the higher-level processing; this task distribution dramatically reduces the likelihood of autopilot system failure during flight. Solo’s smart technology not only allows us to introduce many industry-first capabilities today, but also gives us the ability to unlock future technologies—everything from a next-gen Follow mode to computer vision and true artificial intelligence.

User-friendly wireless updates

Solo only gets more advanced over time. Thanks to the foundation of the dual 1GHz computers, a simple mobile app update includes updates for Solo’s computer, the controller’s computer, the autopilot system and even the Solo gimbal—all delivered wirelessly with on-screen feedback so you can see exactly what’s happening along the way. Gone are the days of using USB cables to update your drone.

Purpose-built aerial photography controller

With ergonomics inspired by popular video game controllers, the aerial photography-optimized Solo Controller feels natural even to new users. It simplifies flight and puts control of both the vehicle and the camera at your fingertips, with dedicated buttons on its face for Takeoff, Land, Return Home and Pause, in addition to two user-definable A/B buttons. On the controller’s left shoulder is a paddle for fine grain tilt control; on the right shoulder are two buttons for presetting gimbal tilt positions and a knob to adjust the automatic tilt speed. Clicking the tilt paddle starts or stops recording on the GoPro and pressing both presets at the same time snaps a photo. The controller’s computer powers a built-in HDMI port, making live broadcast to nearly any type of screen as simple as connecting an HDMI cable. The computer also allows the controller to record 500 parameters of flight data to its internal memory as you fly, 10 times a second. Finally, the controller’s color display gives you contextual information about what’s going on in flight, eliminating the need to interpret blinking lights on the copter to get vital flight information, supplemented with haptic feedback—a gentle vibration that alerts you about critical things like a low battery and confirms all “long-press” actions (takeoff, land, set a gimbal preset, etc.).

The Solo Smart Battery

The Solo Smart Battery not only monitors Solo’s remaining battery charge but also helps to account for location, so that the mobile app can give you relevant warnings about when to start heading home based on Solo’s distance from you. The battery communicates with Solo’s controller, which displays not only your remaining flight time but also your present power usage, for better and more informed battery management. If you’re cutting it too close, Solo’s controller will even begin vibrating to alert you of the need to land ASAP.

Future expandability

Solo was built from the ground up to be future-proof. To accommodate future technologies and expansion options, we’ve included a gimbal bay, an accessory bay and easy-to-swap motor pods with integrated speed controllers. The gimbal bay enables other companies to make specific plug-and-play gimbals or imaging devices, providing these devices with the HD feed to Solo’s mobile app, full camera control and even access to Solo’s computing power. The accessory bay has similar functionality but is designed for accessories other than gimbal and imaging devices, such as an optical flow indoor flight stabilizer, ballistic parachute system, LED lighting system and many more. Finally, the swappable motor pods allow you to easily switch out motors in the field if necessary, and they also leave open the possibility for integrating upgraded propulsion systems for Solo in the future.

Industry-leading open platform

Even though Solo appears as a sleek, all-in-one system, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. 3DR proudly supports a vibrant community of global developers who are leading the way in commercial and consumer drone applications, and thanks to the company’s partnerships with industry giants like Qualcomm, Intel and the Linux Foundation, this shared open drone platform is evolving exponentially. Makers everywhere can now easily create their own apps for Solo (and the platform) through DroneKit—3DR’s open application development platform for drones—and even take them to market for free via 3DR Services. Our platform itself is stewarded by the international Dronecode Foundation, which welcomes and facilitates contributions of individuals and companies around the world. Solo is a unified instantiation of this extensible platform, which grows more useful by the day. And thanks to Solo’s usability and advanced processing potential, it’s one of the most important pieces, sure not only to drive innovation, but also to receive the benefits and deliver them to you.

“Made for Solo” program

3DR’s deep roots in the free and open software community have made us proud to offer open access to huge parts of our technology; this is why we’ve debuted the “Made for Solo” program, aimed at enabling small companies with great ideas to work directly with us and our manufacturing partners on developing and launching fantastic new accessories. Not only does this program make it easy for anyone to create new technology for Solo, it makes it easy for these companies to get their technology onto our retail partners’ shelves—and into your Solo.

World-class customer support

With a newly expanded support team of over 60 in-house technicians and a powerful new tech support solution built right into the app, 3DR is redefining what it means to offer world-class customer support. Solo keeps its own flight journal, continually logging information along over 500 parameters as it flies. You can analyze these files on your own, or instantly share them with our support team to aid in troubleshooting. Since Solo is continuously monitoring flight parameters in real time, if it suspects there’s been a problem, the mobile app will automatically offer the option of immediately submitting a service ticket via your mobile device. If the flight logs show Solo was lost or damaged due to a system error, 3DR will immediately repair or replace not only the drone, but the gimbal and the GoPro as well. In fact, we are so confident in the user experience that Solo offers, there’s even a limited 30-day satisfaction money-back guarantee.

Availability

Solo will be available in over 2,000 retail locations worldwide starting in May in the U.S., and in June and July globally. In the U.S., Solo will launch at Best Buy, B&H, Samy’s Camera, Sport Chalet and many other premiere camera and electronics retailers. Throughout June and July, Solo will become available in 3DR-authorized premium retailers around the world, including Boulanger in France, Best Buy and London Drugs in Canada, Currys and Wex Camera in the U.K., Harvey Norman in Australia and Virgin Megastore and Dubai Duty Free in the U.A.E. Preorders for Solo will begin immediately.

Specs:

Flight time: up to 25 min without payload, or up to 20 min with GoPro and Solo Gimbal

Controller battery life of up to 4 hours; built-in rechargeable battery (8 hours with optional extended battery)

Weight: 1500 g; 1800 g with Solo Gimbal and GoPro

Autopilot: Pixhawk 2

Video latency: 180 ms

Wifi range: up to half a mile, depending on environment

Drone Maker 3D Robotics Debuts Open Source Development Platform To Advance Public App Innovation

3DR's DroneKit Development Platform Makes It Easy for Entrepreneurs and Enthusiasts to Add Custom Features or Create Entirely New Drone Apps

March 26, 2015

3D Robotics (3DR), North America's largest consumer drone manufacturer, today announced the release of a new open software product called DroneKit, the company's Application Programming Interface (API) for drone app development. Downloadable for free from 3DR, DroneKit packages years of 3DR's research and development into a single robust and extensible platform which developers can use to create web-based drone apps or even apps onboard the drones themselves. DroneKit works with any vehicle powered by the APM flight code.

Why now

3DR wants to empower makers anywhere to create apps that fit their purposes. Imagine an agriculture app that surveys your land; a search & rescue app; or a football practice app. Before DroneKit, if you wanted to create any of these single-purpose apps for a drone you'd have to reinvent the wheel, building all the flight control software from the ground up. DroneKit abstracts away the hard parts of writing flight control software, leaving you a clean, modern interface to code on.

A good analogy is the smartphone: In order to make a smartphone app, you don't need to design and create a phone first. The hard part (the platform, in other words) is already done. With DroneKit, we've made the phone, so to speak. Now everyone has the creative freedom to build apps and new functions.

"Unlike other APIs for drones, there are no levels of access to DroneKit; it's completely flexible and open," noted Brandon Basso, VP of software engineering at 3DR. "The platform works on laptops as well as mobile devices. Best of all, once an app is created, the app automatically works on any computing platform—the interface is always the same."

3DR's role is to maintain DroneKit: they created the API; they fix any issues with it; they assure it works with all APM vehicles; they add experimental features from their labs and from those contributed by the global community, and make all updates available to anyone for free.

What you can do with DroneKit:

With DroneKit, you can develop apps for three platforms: mobile apps (DroneKit Android); web-based apps (DroneKit Cloud); and onboard computer apps (DroneKit Python) [i.e., for a companion computer on the actual drone].

DroneKit allows you to:

Fly paths with waypoints
Fly in spline path with fine grain control over vehicle velocity and position
Have the drone follow a GPS target
Control the camera and gimbal with regions of interest points
Access full telemetry from the drone over 3DR Radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or over the internet
View playbacks and log analysis of any mission

Advantages of DroneKit:

Truly open; no "levels" of access that you get from other proprietary programs
Computer agnostic: Create an app for controlling drones on whatever computing platform you want, and the interface is always the same
Works on planes, copters and rovers
Works on laptop computers as well as mobile devices
Provides web-based access to vehicle data

DroneKit powers the most successful flight control programs in the world:

Tower (formerly Droidplanner), hands-down the best flight planning mobile app out there, was built on DroneKit for Android
Droneshare, the global social network for drone pilots, is built on DroneKit web services
Project Tango Indoor Navigation is built on Pixhawk, APM and Tower
IMSI/Design TurboSite aerial reporting app for construction

Online Access

To find out how to write your own application for UAVs, and to walk through some example apps from 3DR, please visithttp://dronekit.io

About 3D Robotics

3DR is committed to helping people see their world from above. As North America's largest personal drone company, 3DR is a pioneer in making advanced, easy-to-use drone technology accessible to consumers for a wide range of everyday exploration and business applications in data analysis, mapping, surveying, 3D modeling and more for agriculture, construction, infrastructure, search and rescue and ecological study. Founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson, former editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine and founder of DIYDrones.com, and Jordi Munoz, an engineering prodigy from Ensenada, Mexico, 3DR is a VC-backed startup with over 200 employees in North America and more than 30,000 customers worldwide. 3DR is headquartered in Berkeley, CA with facilities and offices in San Diego, CA,Austin, TX and Tijuana, Mexico. For more information, visit www.3drobotics.com.

3DR Announces $50 Million Series C to Accelerate Commercial and Consumer Drone Deployment

February 25th, 2015

3DR, North America’s largest manufacturer of consumer drones, including the leading open drone software platform, today announced the initial close of its Series C financing. It is led by Qualcomm Incorporated through its investment arm Qualcomm Ventures, with Foundry Group, True Ventures, OATV, Mayfield, Shea Ventures and additional global investors participating. As part of the new financing, 3DR intends to expand product development activities, including its commercial products and software platform, and extend the use of state-of-the-art smartphone technology, such as Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processors from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, in both consumer and commercial drones.

Qualcomm Technologies’ next-generation Snapdragon processors, including sensors, wireless and computer vision, are ideal for developing advanced applications and driving increased performance for 3DR drones. 3DR will also participate in Qualcomm Technologies’ robotics initiative to further increase the pace and scope of innovation.

“The incredible pace of innovation in the smartphone industry is transforming many adjacent industries, including drones. By working with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., we can bring advanced computing to the skies at an increasing pace,” said Chris Anderson, CEO of 3DR. “Such multi-gigahertz Linux-based onboard computing platforms, combined with state-of-the-art cameras and other sensors and wireless technologies, will allow us to create next-gen drones that are smarter, easier and safer than ever before."

“It is an exciting time right now in the rapidly emerging world of robotics and UAVs. Qualcomm Technologies looks forward to utilizing the technologies we have developed for smartphones and applying them to this emerging industry,” said Nagraj Kashyap, senior vice president, Qualcomm Ventures. “3DR has developed an innovative UAV platform and we look forward to working with them to accelerate the development of this industry.”

For more information please visit www.3dr.com

About 3DR

3DR helps people see their world from above. As North America’s largest personal drone company, 3DR is a pioneer in making advanced, easy-to-use drone technology accessible to consumers for a wide range of everyday exploration and photography, and for applications using data analysis, mapping, surveying and 3D modeling for agriculture, construction, infrastructure, search and rescue and ecological study.

3DR was founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson and Jordi Muñoz, and currently operates with over 275 employees in North America and more than 100,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, 3DR operates engineering facilities in San Diego, CA, sales and marketing in Austin, TX, and manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico. 3DR has enjoyed enormous global success with its market-leading APM software platform, the Pixhawk autopilot, and consumer drones such as the IRIS+ and X8.

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Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

3D Robotics Launches X8+ Ready-to-Fly Personal Drone with Expandable Payload Capacity, Introduces FPV Kit

The ruggedized X8+ not only has the power to carry professional mirrorless system cameras, but also provides the lifting capacity to do delivery and real work, making it much more than a flying camera.

November 17, 2014

3D Robotics, the leading North American drone company across both consumer and enterprise channels, today announced the launch of the X8+, a tough, ready-to-fly personal drone that extends the capability of 3DR’s fully-automated flight platform into the professional realm. In addition, 3DR also introduced the company’s new plug-and-play first-person view (FPV) kit, providing everything a user needs to start live streaming a video feed from the camera on the X8+ or IRIS+ drones.

Personal drones at these consumer price points are usually designed to carry a lightweight action camera through the air. The X8+ can do that—and can also carry larger pro-line cameras—but it’s more than a flying camera. It’s really the first drone at a consumer price point that could be called an intelligent tool.

Basically, 3DR has taken care of making a tough robot that can fly—consumers can now build on that platform and make of it what they can. Maybe it’s easiest to think of the X8+ as a power drill that users can outfit with different bits. Beyond photography and videography, for instance, it can be used to generate highly precise maps and 3D models, collect aerial data in automated and infinitely repeatable flight paths, carry different sensors for gathering data beyond the visible spectrum, generate point clouds for accurate ground survey, and can even be outfitted with magnets for real delivery potential. The aluminum frame can take the elements, but it’s also light enough to maximize aerial mobility; it folds into a compact and easily transportable form perfect for on-site use in areas like mining, construction, search & rescue, agriculture and professional cinematography. And like all 3DR drones, the X8+ comes with free mission planning software, 3DR’s world-leading open source flight platform and a remote controller.

The X8+ also now features 3DR’s world-first 3PV™ Follow Me mode, meaning the copter can track any GPS-enabled Android device with a variety of changeable angle and distance presets that will keep consumers in the center of creative videos. Or, if used industrially, that will keep whatever a user needs to track in the center of the copter’s field of vision.

As a flying camera, the lifting power of the X8+ (max takeoff weight of over 2 kg, recommended payload 800g battery and 800g payload) offers users options for attaching an array of gimbals, cameras and sensors. This means that instead of only being able to carry a GoPro with a wide-angle lens, the X8+ can also carry gimbals that support a professional quality mirrorless video camera, such as the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera, or a pro point-and-shoot like the Panasonic LX100 or Canon S110. This carrying capacity unlocks options: you can choose different lenses for video with the Black Magic, and the different focal length settings for the LX100 allow aerial photographers to set a zoom for tight and focused shots while flying at a distance; when flying with a tiny wide-angle lens users would have to get the copter physically closer to a subject. Pair the X8+ with 3DR’s FPV kit and consumers now have everything needed to scout, monitor and shoot professional-grade aerials.

The X8+ includes automated mission planning right out of the box, open source software platforms compatible with Mac, Windows, Android, and Linux systems. With free DroidPlanner 2 software, X8+ users can plan flights by simply drawing a flight path on any Android tablet or phone, which allows for hands-free flight control. The X8+ drone will go where you tell it to go, and can even keep its camera pointed at the same location via a Region of Interest (ROI) waypoint throughout the entire flight. This enables autonomous journeys and automatically stabilized photo, video and data capture.

Features of the 3DR X8+

Lifting power to carry an array of customizable professional payloads
Redundant propeller system for reliability and flight protection
Max takeoff weight of over 2 kg, with flight times up to 15 minutes depending on payload.
Robust design for on-site and repeatable real world use
Intelligent tool enabling mapping, survey, 3D modeling, delivery of small goods
Fully-automated flight control

The X8+ is now available for purchase at http://www.3DR.com, for only $1,350. 3DR’s FPV kit is also available now at $349.99.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/3drobotics
YouTube video of X8+ Drone
Photos of X8+ Drone

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About 3DR
3D Robotics develops innovative, flexible and reliable personal drones and UAV technology for everyday exploration and business applications. 3DR’s UAV platforms capture breathtaking aerial imagery for consumer enjoyment and data analysis, enabling mapping, surveying, 3D modeling and more. Our technology is currently used across multiple industries around the world, including agriculture, photography, construction, search and rescue and ecological study. 3DR is committed to bringing the power of UAV technology to the mainstream market. They are best known for their open-sourced platform and the Pixhawk: the most accessible, widely-used autopilot hardware on the market.
Founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson, founder of DIYDrones.com, and Jordi Munoz, 3D Robotics is a VC-backed startup with over 180 employees in North America and more than 28,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, 3DR operates engineering facilities in San Diego, CA; manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico; and marketing in Austin, TX.

Drone Maker 3D Robotics Releases Open-Source, Customizable Tower Flight Control App

Free App for Smartphones and Tablets Has Everything Pilots Need to Plan, Fly and Track Any 3DR-Powered Drone; Open-Source Code Allows Programmers to Build or Alter Features

November 7, 2014

3D Robotics (3DR), North America’s largest consumer drone manufacturer, today announced the availability of its open-source TowerSM flight control app for drone copters and planes. Downloadable at no cost from the 3DR website, the product not only gives users a simple, feature-rich flight experience but also, thanks to its open programming interface, offers the ability to build new features into the app or customize existing ones.

Tower is fully supported and maintained by 3D Robotics, creator of the app. While 3DR is the major contributor to the product, it encourages drone users to use their programming creativity in order to further the power, usability, and fun inherent in drones.

“3D Robotics is a big believer in imaginative uses of drones for business and pleasure, as well as in ways that benefit society. By opening up our Tower programming interface to the public, we’re giving enthusiasts and entrepreneurs the ability to impact those uses in a very positive manner,” said Colin Guinn, 3D Robotics Chief Revenue Officer. “We’re excited to see how people use their talents to improve and innovate on Tower.”

Tower is suited to first-time pilots as well as experts. Available under the GNU Public License v3, the app provides transmitter-free operation of 3DR-powered copters and planes from Android smartphones or tablets.

With Tower, users can create flights by drawing the paths on their tablet or by dropping waypoints. Over ten different types of waypoints, as well as other functions, make it possible to plan a flight for a specific purpose:

Fly in smooth curves with spline waypoints
Use Circle waypoints to orbit an object while keeping the camera pointed at it
Region of Interest (ROI) points allow flyers to keep the camera centered on a subject regardless of flight path
Survey will automatically generate the flight pattern needed to fully cover a region of the map
3PV™ Follow Me keeps the camera centered on the user while the drone follows the user’s movement. Drone position can also be adjusted as it follows the user.
An Automated Building Mapper makes 3D scans of large structures
The Dronie function makes one-of-a-kind “selfies,” revealing surrounding scenery as the drone flies back and away from the subject

Several new features are also available for Tower including Mission Editor, for easier insertion or reordering of elements; and new integration with Droneshare via the user’s Google or Facebook account (available February 15, 2015), enabling users to track and share their flights online or compare pilot rankings with friends.

Tower is accessible through the new 3DR Services—the app store for drones. 3DR Services can guide you to Tower and other 3DR apps, as well as third-party drone apps. Download 3DR Services for free here: [URL}

The Tower open-source community is located on GitHub at https://github.com/DroidPlanner/droidplanner.

To download the free Tower drone control app, go to (URL HERE).

About 3D Robotics

3DR is committed to helping people see their world from above. As North America’s largest personal drone company, 3DR is a pioneer in making advanced, easy-to-use drone technology accessible to consumers for a wide range of everyday exploration and business applications in data analysis, mapping, surveying, 3D modeling and more for agriculture, construction, infrastructure, search and rescue and ecological study. Founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson, former editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine and founder of DIYDrones.com, and Jordi Muñoz, an engineering prodigy from Ensenada, Mexico, 3DR is a VC-backed startup with over 200 employees in North America and more than 30,000 customers worldwide. 3DR is headquartered in Berkeley, CA with facilities and offices in San Diego CA, Austin TX and Tijuana, Mexico. For more information, visit www.3drobotics.com.

3D Robotics Launches New 3DR Mapping Platforms for Fully Automated, All-in-One 2D and 3D Mapping Drone Packages

The new Aero-M and X8-M devices offer the most cost-effective, accurate and repeatable aerial perspectives for farms, construction sites, and other survey applications

October 14, 2014

3D Robotics, the leading North American drone company across both consumer and enterprise channels, today announced the launch of the new 3DR Mapping Platforms, consisting of the 3DR X8-M (multi-copter) and Aero-M (fixed-wing), with highly accurate resolution that allows users to zoom in from the sky “down to the grape.” Each platform is bundled with both hardware and software solutions, including a high-resolution visible-spectrum camera, protective hard-case, auto-pilot controlled image acquisition and professional image processing software powered by Pix4D, 3DR’s newest business partner. The starting price point of only $5,400 is the new industry leader, with the nearest competitor’s option at nearly five times the cost.

The new 3DR Mapping Platforms have a simple, fully automated three-step workflow: plan, fly, process. The flight planning software computes flight paths over a selected area to survey and calculate exactly which pictures to take and when. While in flight, the drones automatically capture those images and geo-tag each capture to note the exact location. When the drone lands, the user immediately has a series of crisp and accurate images that can then be geo-referenced by the Pix4D software to automatically create a high-resolution, ortho-rectified 2D mosaic map (or 3D model depending on chosen edition) that delivers accurate and immediately actionable data.

This level of aerial perspective is invaluable on farms, construction sites and mines. It enables enhanced crop and water usage understanding, increased perspective and knowledge of building material movement, equipment locations, construction progress and mining area status. 3DR Mapping Platforms will save users money through on-demand, high frequency monitoring, and enable them to take informed and targeted action in any of the above applications. In conservation and land and resource management applications, 3DR Mapping Platforms can increase understanding of how we use precious land and water resources.

The X8-M offers low-flying and high accuracy mapping, with a fully redundant propulsion system for increased reliability. The Aero-M fixed-wing platform offers incredible endurance and coverage area, with 40 minutes of flight and 250 acres of coverage. With these low-cost, high-accuracy platforms, professionals will maximize budget and improve response time by not waiting to schedule satellite imagery or incurring the expense and risk of using manned aircraft to gather data.

Features of 3DR Mapping Platforms

Astounding “down to the grape” resolution
All-in-one mapping solution: bundled with Canon SX260 12 MP camera and Pix4Dmapper LT for 3DR professional image processing software
Fully automated three-step workflow
Aero-M: 40 min flight time; up to 250 acres/flight
X8-M: capture critical detail; up to 25 acres/flight
Each priced at $5400; platforms of similar or even inferior capabilities routinely sell for five times that amount

“With 3DR Mapping Platforms, you’ll simply reduce your costs and increase your yields,” said Brandon Basso, senior R&D engineer at 3DR. “That’s what makes this platform a real tool. We’ve automated all the hard parts. So it’s not the future of work, it’s here now, and frankly it could cause a revolution through the price alone.”

The 3DR mapping platforms with 2D mapping capability are now available for purchase at http://www.3DR.com, for only $5400. A second version of the system offering 3D mapping technology is available for $10,400.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/3drobotics
VIDEO: YouTube video of Aero-M & X8-M Mapping Platforms in Use
PICS: Mapping Platforms Product shots of Aero-M and X8-M

Pix4D contact:
Website: http://www.pix4d.com
Sales inquiries: sales(at)pix4d(dot)com
PR & press: pr(at)pix4d(dot)com

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Founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson, founder of DIYDrones.com, and Jordi Munoz, 3D Robotics is a VC-backed startup with over 180 employees in North America and more than 28,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, 3DR operates engineering facilities in San Diego, CA; manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico; and marketing in Austin, TX.

About Pix4D
With over ten years of leading scientific research and founded in 2011, Pix4D has become the leading provider for professional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) processing software. Started as a spin-off of EPFL’s (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) Computer Vision Lab in Switzerland, Pix4D is a dynamic and rapidly expanding company and is pursuing its R&D efforts by collaborating with industrial partners as well as EPFL in research projects supported by the Swiss Government.

3D Robotics Announces Sir Richard Branson as New Investor, IRIS+ Smartwatch Integration

Virgin teams with 3D Robotics to take consumer drone applications to the next level—fast!

September 15, 2014

3D Robotics, the leading North American drone company across both consumer and enterprise channels, today officially welcomes Sir Richard Branson as the latest investor in the company, after the iconic entrepreneur was blown away by 3D Robotics’ technological capabilities, disruptive vision and extensive professional community. In addition, 3DR announced smartwatch integration with the IRIS+ platform, making on-the-go use of the IRIS+ and its revolutionary Follow Me technology even easier.

3DR CEO Chris Anderson and CTO Jordi Muñoz have both contributed visionary articles about the future of drones (respectively Democratizing The Overview Effect and How to Become a Drone Entrepreneur) to the Virgin blog. Additionally, 3DR today released a welcome “postcard” video shot entirely during their visit to Branson’s Necker Island in the Virgin Islands.

“It’s amazing to see what a little flying object with a GoPro attached can do. Before they came along the alternative was an expensive helicopter and crew,” stated Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. “I’m really excited about the potential 3DR sees in drones. They can do a lot of good in the world, and I hope this affordable technology will give many more people the chance to see our beautiful planet from such a powerful perspective.”

This perspective now entails another upgrade to the IRIS+ platform that 3DR released last week, integrating smartwatch wearable technology with the IRIS+ 3PV™ Follow Me application. 3PV™ keeps the IRIS+ camera centered on you as you do what you do, and wearable technology makes this even simpler, as well as expands the possibilities of what you can do with the camera while you’re in action. Because a smartwatch sits on your wrist and isn’t held in your hand like a phone or tablet, its screen is more accessible and less obtrusive to activity if you want to operate Follow Me modes in action. From the smartwatch screen, you can switch modes mid-flight with the tip of your finger: tell the drone to follow left, follow right, lead you, or circle.

The IRIS+ with the free integrated smartwatch application is now available for purchase at http://www.3DR.com, for only $750.

New Video of Branson’s Necker Island: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXS-7ntYMe4&feature=youtu.be

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/3drobotics
Photo of IRIS+ in Action: http://snk.to/f-ct3l65mu
Photo of IRIS+ Tablet App: http://snk.to/f-cdniy9px
High-res Product Shot: http://snk.to/f-ctisg83c

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3D Robotics Introduces IRIS+, First Consumer Drone with “Follow Me” Technology

The new 3D Robotics IRIS+ includes all new features and design upgrades

September 08, 2014

3D Robotics, the leading North American drone company across both consumer and enterprise channels, today announced the launch of the 3D Robotics IRIS+™, the industry’s first consumer drone with “follow me” technology. The IRIS+ system provides both hardware and software upgrades to the previous IRIS model, including new features such as self-tightening screw-on propellers, LED orientation lights, an improved power system, and lighter weight arms and legs to provide longer flight times. The IRIS+ remote controller has also been upgraded to provide the user with real-time telemetry data in the display.

The 3D Robotics IRIS+ is the industry’s first consumer drone to implement 3PV™ Follow Me technology in a highly user-friendly aerial photography package, making it the best and most advanced overall drone available for everything from photography/videography to agricultural mapping to numerous safety applications. 3D Robotics’ 3PV™ (3rd Person View) Follow Me technology turns your IRIS+ into your own hands-free aerial camera crew that puts you in the middle of your adventure. Not only will the IRIS+ follow you, but this advanced technology controls the gimbal as well to keep the camera centered on you, capturing sweeping cinematic video from a perspective unlike any other.

The IRIS+ includes automated mission planning right out of the box, compatible with Mac, Windows, Android, and Linux. With free DroidPlanner 2 software, IRIS+ users can plan flights by simply drawing a flight path on any Android tablet or phone, which allows for hands-free flight control. Now your drone will go where you tell it to go, and it can even keep your GoPro Hero 3 pointed at the same location via a Region of Interest (ROI) waypoint throughout the entire flight. This enables fun autonomous journeys and automatically stabilized video capture that would be otherwise impossible.

Features of IRIS+

First drone with “follow me” technology
Automated mission planning
Self-tightening screw-on propellers
Improved power system and light-weight arms and legs
20 minute flight time/15 minute flight time with GoPro Hero 3 and gimbal
Real time telemetry data on the remote controller display
LED orientation lights on each arm

“3D Robotics and our extended community of global developers are the future of the drone industry,” stated Colin Guinn, senior vice president of 3D Robotics. “The IRIS+ and its revolutionary 3PV Follow Me technology provide for all new levels of drone applications for the average consumer and commercial user alike.”

The IRIS+ is now available for purchase at http://www.3DR.com for only $750.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/3drobotics
YouTube video of IRIS+: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yOCTgVqmeQ
Photo of IRIS+ in Action: http://snk.to/f-ct3l65mu
Photo of IRIS+ Tablet App: http://snk.to/f-cdniy9px
High-res Product Shot: http://snk.to/f-ctisg83c

North American Drone Leader 3D Robotics Expands to Austin, New Offices in Berkeley

Expansion includes key executive hires of Colin Guinn and John Rex

September 05, 2014

3D Robotics, the leading North American drone company across both consumer and enterprise channels, announce the recent hiring of key executives and two office expansions. Talent acquisition has been a major focus for 3D Robotics this summer, as the company gets ready to launch multiple new products and upgrade software platforms to include industry-first feature sets.

The recent hiring of CFO John Rex, an accomplished senior finance and operations executive with global experience in major multinational corporations including Microsoft, will ensure that 3D Robotics continues to scale effectively and efficiently on all fronts as its growth accelerates.

3D Robotics also opened a new office in Austin, TX – highlighted by the onboarding of a dozen-person, Austin-based creative media and marketing team, each with years of experience in the industry. The new team is headed by their new SVP of Sales & Marketing, Colin Guinn. Followers of the industry and media may recognize Guinn as the former North American President of DJI. He has been featured on nearly every major media outlet in the nation, including 60 Minutes, Fast Co., and Tech Crunch. Guinn’s first key hire was Oren Schauble, who came from TrackingPoint, where he brought multiple generations of high-tech products to market with noted viral success.

The Austin office makes the fourth addition to the company’s main operations. Headquartered in Berkeley, in addition to the marketing office in Austin, 3DRobotics also has an engineering center in San Diego, and a manufacturing plant in Tijuana.

The focus of the new talent acquisition is on pivoting from predominately the B2B and sophisticated hobbyists sectors, to more out-of-the-box-ready products for the everyday consumer. Their new offices and key executive hires coincide in time for the launch of their new consumer drone, the IRIS+, this September.

About 3DR
3D Robotics develops innovative, flexible and reliable personal drones and UAV technology for everyday exploration and business applications. 3DR’s UAV platforms capture breathtaking aerial imagery for consumer enjoyment and data analysis, enabling mapping, surveying, 3D modeling and more. Our technology is currently used across multiple industries around the world, including agriculture, photography, construction, search and rescue and ecological study. 3DR is committed to bringing the power of UAV technology to the mainstream market. They are best known for their open-sourced platform and the Pixhawk: the most accessible, widely-used autopilot hardware on the market.
Founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson, founder of DIYDrones.com, and Jordi Munoz, 3D Robotics is a VC-backed startup with over 180 employees in North America and more than 28,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, 3DR operates engineering facilities in San Diego, CA manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico, and marketing in Austin, TX.

North American Drone Leader 3D Robotics Announces Strategic Acquisition of Sifteo

July 29, 2014

Today, 3D Robotics – the leading North American drone company across both consumer and enterprise channels, announces its acquisition of Sifteo, a cutting-edge consumer electronics company.

Sifteo's team of consumer electronics industry veterans (UX designers, engineers, manufacturing experts, retail operations, etc.) bring expertise in building high-quality, high-tech consumer products in large volumes and getting them into mass retailers. Sifteo's engineering team has developed a set of core technologies for high-performance embedded computation, low-latency wireless communication, virtualization techniques, and sensor fusion, which can be applied to various products.

The focus of the newly combined entities post-acquisition is on expanding from 3D Robotics’ current market leadership position in the B2B and sophisticated developer and hobby drone sectors, to establishing similar market leadership in more out-of-the-box products for the everyday consumer, a vast and still emerging market segment.

Chris Anderson, CEO of 3D Robotics (and former Editor in Chief of Wired Magazine and bestselling author of The Long Tail) commented “When we first engaged with the Sifteo team, and saw their skillset, experience, and IP portfolio, we immediately recognized the impact they would have working with us to transform and grow the consumer drone market. Their consumer electronics experience and deep product skills complement our technology perfectly. We are thrilled to have the resources of both groups together to lead what we believe will be a billion dollar market over the next few years.”

Sifteo, previously supported by multiple research grants from the National Science Foundation and venture financing from True Ventures and Foundry Group, will leave their customer support open for at least a full year for existing Sifteo customers.

About 3DR
3D Robotics develops innovative, flexible and reliable personal drones and UAV technology for everyday exploration and business applications. 3DR’s UAV platforms capture breathtaking aerial imagery for consumer enjoyment and data analysis, enabling mapping, surveying, 3D modeling and more. Our technology is currently used across multiple industries around the world, including agriculture, photography, construction, search and rescue and ecological study. 3DR is committed to bringing the power of UAV technology to the mainstream market. They are best known for their open-sourced platform and the Pixhawk: the most accessible, widely-used autopilot hardware on the market.
Founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson, founder of DIYDrones.com, and Jordi Munoz, 3D Robotics is a VC-backed startup with over 180 employees in North America and more than 30,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, 3DR operates engineering facilities in San Diego, CA and manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico.