FOTOKITE PHI: A DRONE ON A LEASH FOR $3491 min read
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe use of drones in public spaces has become a contentious issue in many countries. Lawmakers worried about public safety issues are increasingly legislating against flying in or near populated areas. In the UK, for example, it is illegal to fly commercially in populated areas without special clearances, a drone that meets the correct specifications and certification. Even then, you can’t fly close to the public.
In an attempt to allay fears of drones flying out of the control of their operators and crashing into people or property, some drone operators have been tethering their craft to the ground. This prevents flyaways and gives people around it a clear visual indication of the drone’s presence. It also makes it easier for the operator to clear people out of a safety zone around him or her, with the tether as its radius.
At the NAB show earlier this year we saw the Fotokite, a professional tethered solution that was designed for broadcasters and commercial operators. It had several intelligent features that made launching and flying the device safer and much easier. This version cost several thousand Euros and has been used by news organisations like the BBC.
via: News Shooter
Image Credit: Fotokite
