After conquering the real-estate, videography, agriculture and sports markets, drone makers are flying into a new frontier – your pocket.
And if crowdfunding support is any indication, owning drones smaller than a wallet may prove to be the next big/little consumer trend.
Just ask Robert Morrison. The developer of the Wallet Drone, Morrison watched as the Indiegogo campaign for his “tiny quadcopter that docks and charges inside a wallet-sized controller,” has soared well past the initial goal of $11,894.
The Wallet Drone lives up to its moniker; when cradled in the combination controller/charger, the quad fits into a box-like case that could easily fit in a back pocket, purse or backpack. Unlike most consumer drones, the Wallet Drone only requires 4 AA batteries rather than a more expensive LiPo rig (and it includes a USB charging cord as well).
The Wallet Drone joins a growing number of micro-drones aimed at the wallet-sized target market including projects such as the Zano by Torquing Group.
While the drone industry continues to explore wider economic skies, demand has flown past the standard demographic of hobbyists (a polite word for “drone geek) and professionals in targeting a new market of beginners who see drone flying more as a new way to pass a lazy afternoon – sort of an Angry Birds in the Real World.
The Wallet Drone measures 4 cm by 4 cm x 1.75 cm and includes an “ultra-compact” 2.5 gHz controller and docking station. The main feature that allows Wallet Drone to maintain such a small profile is its unique design that allows the drone to charge while docked inside the controller. Other features include: 360-degree rotational yaw (allowing seamless adjustable orientation), six-axis, gryo-stabilization and a pre-programmed “trick mode” algorithm that will send the Wallet Drone into flips and rolls.
Available in four colors and festooned with LED lights, the Wallet Drone is available to early-bird investors for $40 – a wallet-sized drone for a wallet-friendly price.
Jason is a longstanding contributor to DroneLife with an avid interest in all things tech. He focuses on anti-drone technologies and the public safety sector; police, fire, and search and rescue.
Beginning his career as a journalist in 1996, Jason has since written and edited thousands of engaging news articles, blog posts, press releases and online content.
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