By Barry Eitel
SAN FRANCISCO
GoPro, makers of small, wearable, high-definition cameras that is popular with surfers and base jumpers, is building a line of consumer drones, according to a report published Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal.
Consumer drones are a growing interest around the the U.S. While the Federal Aviation Administration has tight regulations on the commercial use of drones – making projects like Amazon’s “delivery drone” scheme more science fiction than reality, at least for now – regulators allow hobbyists to fly the machines.
Many drones available on the market are essentially working model helicopters, many with multiple rotors for better maneuverability.
GoPro is planning to release drones late next year costing in the $500 to $1,000 range, according to sources speaking to the Journal. GoPro cameras sell between $200 and $500 on the company’s website or at nationwide retailers.
The cameras, which weigh in at around 3 ounces, are a perfect fit for the consumer drones on the market today.
Because they are so mobile and capture such stunning footage, GoPro cameras are already popular with drone enthusiasts. Taking a photo of oneself with a camera attached to a drone is known as a “dronie.” One man flew a drone strapped with a GoPro through a Fourth of July fireworks display in West Palm Beach, Florida, resulting in a jaw-dropping recording.
Some drone manufacturers, however, like the Chinese SZ DJI Technologies – the world’s largest consumer drone builder – are selling drones fitted with their own cameras instead of including a space where a GoPro can fit.
Muscling into the consumer drone market, where GoPro has always been an ancillary participant, is a step towards diversifying profits for a company that went public in June. As drone companies get into the camera business, GoPro wants to stay relevant, even if it means some drone makers might stop supporting GoPro cameras if the company becomes competition.
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