Nissan recently announced the European-market X-Trail X-Scape small SUV will now ship standard with a Parrot Bebop 2 quadcopter. Retailing for around $450, the Bebop 2 is a consumer-level drone that includes “follow me” GPS and visual tracking functionality.
By also kicking in a Skycontroller 2 remote control and Parrot Cockpitglasses headset, Nissan expects buyers may use the drone to capture memories of outdoor activity while using the X-Trail to arrive at fun destinations (the European X-Trail is roughly equivalent to the American-model Nissan Rogue).
The Bebop boasts a 14 megapixel, 180 degree, fisheye lens camera and captures 1080p video at 30 fps. The headset will give users an FPV, immersive experience.
“The drone’s exceptional maneuverability and digitally stabilized camera create a fantastic filming platform, for great results over a flight time of up to 25 minutes,” a Nissan statement added. “For ultimate portability, the drone and supporting equipment come with a bespoke backpack-style padded storage case.”
The added automotive feature represents another step into the “Game of Drones” for the Japanese automaker. Last year, the company unveiled the GT-R Drone, billed as one of the “fastest accelerating FPV racing drones in the world.”
Nissan built the racing drone to “keep up” with its then-new GT-R sports car. The drone flies with a “special race tuned configuration and low-drag canopy” and can go from 0 to 60 in 1.3 seconds. To prove the drone’s mettle, the company pitted it against the GT-R car around the Silverstone circuit to test both machines’ speed and cornering ability. Nissan NISMO driver Ricardo Sanchez competed against 2015 British National Drone Racing champion James Bowles around the 1.2 mile course.
Of course the ending was never in doubt as a Nissan spokesperson noted: “While the drone can out accelerate the car, wheels soon catch up with rotors: the GT-R Drone has a top speed of approximately 115 mph, versus 196 mph for the car.”
For Parrot, the Nissan partnership is great news after the French drone manufacturer announced massive layoffs in January due to missed fourth quarter revenue targets.
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.
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