If you thought the selfie stick didn't take the idea of convenient distance snapping far enough, there is now a legitimate flying camera on the market, and it not only works (well in fact), but works without a remote control! Dubbed; “The world's first throw-and-shoot camera,” the Lily Camera was devised in the robotics lab in the University of California, Berkeley. It operates by simply being tossed into the air, and relies on four propellers to send it flying at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour as it follows the user whilst taking HD photos and videos.
Lily is a flying camera dubbed “The world's first throw-and-shoot camera,” which works after simply being tossed in the air
Unlike similar (and often more expensive) drones, the Lily requires no controller as it follows a bespoke bracelet worn by the user. The camera follows the bracelet via GPS, which communicates distance, position and speed back to the camera. In that respect, it's less of a drone and more of an automatic camera. “It is a camera, which is the real difference,” explains CEO and co-founder Antoine Balaresque. “Other products are really just drones that carry a camera. Lily is a camera that happens to be flying.” He adds that the company's “Medium and long-term goal is to democratise flying cameras. Make it available for kids to professional filmmakers,” and said that whilst “There will be different price points and user experiences,” in the next five years they'd like everyone to have Lily cameras!
Lily was devised in the robotics lab in the University of California, Berkeley
The completely waterproof (a huge boon for British gadget enthusiasts) Lily is equipped with a custom accelerometer, barometer, GPS and both front and bottom facing cameras. The cameras give users several vantage points with the hopes that it will eventually be able to sense weather as well as terrain. Perhaps the most ingenious aspect of the Lily, is that as it doesn't occupy the same airspace as other drones, the company (Lily Robotics) won't face FAA regulations in America. Balaresque explains that, by design, “Lily is 100% legal, it always flies below 400 feet and always in the line of sight.”
Introducing the Lily Camera
Tech Spec wise, Lily is a surprisingly capable beast, with a built-in lithium-ion battery (chargeable via micro USB) offering an average 4-hour battery life and 20 minutes of continuous flight time. The cameras, meanwhile, can capture video footage at 1080p at 60 fps, with image stabilisation and fixed focus to keep everything balanced. The GPS sensor also allows the Lily to follow from user from up to 100 feet away, and it can reach altitudes of up to 50 feet.
The completely waterproof Lily is equipped with a custom accelerometer, barometer, GPS and both front and bottom facing cameras
Memory, meanwhile, is supplied via a 4GB micro SD card that comes free with the unit. If this isn't enough (and if you're shooting in 1080p it probably won't be) there is also an external memory card slot for extra storage space. A bespoke smartphone app is also available for Lily, which will let users check the battery, view a live stream of the video footage, and change Lily’s flight pattern. This app can be used to direct Lily to follow behind you, lead in front of you, or fly in a circle around you.
A bespoke smartphone app is also available for Lily on both iOS and Android
So far the company has raised venture funding from Upside Partnership, SV Angel and High Line Venture Partners among others, but Balaresque has reportedly been swamped by additional interested parties recently, so expect more in the coming months. The pre-order price is set at $499 (£330), and first deliveries are expected in February 2016, after which the price will double to just a shade under a grand! So if you're interested, get those pre-orders in while the going's good!
