Meet the Ghost Drone: Bringing Automatic Flight to the Masses This January

Today’s consumer drones are still flown with a controller. Whether you are using a traditional remote control or the gyroscope on your phone, drones are still governed by real-time directional inputs. But the future of UAV technology will be governed not by steering drones up, forward, right, etc., but by instructing them to “go here.”

The Ghost Drone is the first step towards that future.

Developed by San Francisco-based Ehang, the Ghost Drone is designed to use your phone as a control interface rather than a physical controller (though control via gyroscope is still an option). Instead of steering, users mark GPS points on a map and the Ghost Drone flies the designated route automatically.

Each Ghost Drone comes standard with UBlox 6M GPS, landing gear and a 433 mHZ Bluetooth communication box. Optional hardware add-ons include a 2D gimbal, GoPro Hero4, propellor guards and a monitor to follow the camera in real-time.

The Ghost Drone is capable of up to 30 minutes of flight time and has a range of about .6 miles.

Other features include auto return to home and the ever popular “follow me” ability.

Ehang is currently running an IndieGoGo campaign for their final push to bring the Ghost to market in January. A donation of $375 will count you among the first to get your hands on a Ghost Drone when it officially launches.

For today only (Cyber Monday) Ehang is offering a sale on the most advanced Ghost Drone package: for $1,499 you will receive a ready to fly Ghost, 2D gimbal, GoPro Hero4, carrying case, extra battery, extra propellers, G-box for app-to-drone communication and access to the Ghost SDK.

The IndieGoGo campaign runs through December 10 and you can pre order your very own Ghost Drone right here.

Check out Ehang’s intro video below: