It’s a general rule in the world of tech: when impractical accessories start appearing you know the industry in question is on the up. At least that’s the message we’re choosing to take away from news that San Francisco-based artist Danielle Baskin is creating sweaters to keep drones warm.
That’s right. Baskin makes custom sweaters that keep your drone warm in the winter months. Behold:
Speaking to The Verge, Baskin admitted that the project “started as a joke/art piece.” Then, she discovered, there were actually practical benefits to adding a little insulation to our propellered friends.
“Drone owners in cold climates have told me that their drones have problems with battery life during the winter,” she said. “I was thinking that I should add pockets to the sweaters that can hold portable heaters, or make the sweater electric so it keeps the drone at a warmer temperature. Actually this would be useful, not just for the novelty.”
It also seems like a great way to ease some of the worries that people have when they see a drone high in the sky. Instead of an elusive Big Brother reconnaissance device, one of Baskin’s sweaters can transform your drone into the friendly neighbourhood grandpa, just hovering around and keeping an eye on things.
Read more: Our list of drone accessories that will definitely come in handy.
On a final note, Baskin points out that “It almost goes without saying, but we will mention it anyway: drones cannot, or should not, wear pants — only sweaters and jackets.” Well, duh.
Baskin’s drone sweaters come in at $189 each, so if you’re looking for a bespoke and original late Christmas gift for the drone in your life, this might be the thing for you. It’s certainly a lot more affordable than the gold-plated phantom we featured not too long ago.
We think it’s a great idea that could help pilots personalize their drones and generally make the industry a bit less sinister. Plus, in the event of a crash, it’ll make the wreckage a lot easier to identify. Everybody wins!
Malek Murison is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for tech trends and innovation. He handles product reviews, major releases and keeps an eye on the enthusiast market for DroneLife.
Email Malek
Twitter:@malekmurison
Subscribe to DroneLife here.