Security experts, like us, are on their toes waiting for the revolution where drone technology finally takes the leads in home automation, finally making the vision of smart-controlled quadcopters patrolling the lot a reality. However, there is one sticking point with this dream, namely navigating the interior. How can remote-operated drones guard the inside of the house, when they are not only finicky in closed space but also highly dangerous since their rotors can slice off your arm? Well if Aire has the answer, it’s simply a case of covering the drone in soft fabric! And since Aire, the self-flying camera drone designed for indoor use, has already been successfully crowdfunded it seems there’s already a chance that this future is actually here.
Elevating Your Home…
At first Aire might resemble a hovering lampshade, but this clever drone has a surprising array of features. It could be seen as a human friendly flying drone, capable of taking pictures and investigating anomalies. What makes Aire special is a propulsion system called ‘ducted fan’, popularly seen on air cushion hovercrafts although it was also implemented on the Martin Jetpack as well. The ducted fan helps the drone hover in one place to snap a good picture. And to make the device human-friendly, Aire has been covered by soft fabric, therefore homeowners won’t take any damage for accidentally bumping into it. But there’s more, since the smart machine is fitted with an internet-enabled camera, meaning that you can use the corresponding smartphone app to instruct the drone to take pictures or stream live footage.
…And Defending It
As it stands now, Aire can be used in two ways: as a fierce guardian or a friendly photographer. During a party it can be asked fly around the room and take pictures of the guests, or even asked to shoot a group photo of everyone. The drone can also let you know if the kids have arrived home. But when the night falls, a patrolling routine can be activated. The robot may hover randomly or follow a strict path created by yourself. When it detects an anomaly, it may fly there to investigate and share the findings with you. Just imagine the horror of an unsuspecting thug who turns around, only to find himself face to face with a flying robot.
Astounding Kickstarter Success
The Kickstarter campaign of this self-flying, camera-enabled, smart drone was a resounding success as it managed to go way over its target funding amount weeks before the deadline. The device is still in an early phase though, and some of it features may change. But we already know that smartphone apps aren’t the only way to control Aire, as it also listens to voice commands thanks to its compatible relationship with Amazon’s Alexa. Currently the handy little drone is only available by Kickstarter pre-order, with an estimated shipping date of September 2018. The price tag is $699, which is quite hefty, but if Aire becomes a success then snatching one could end up being even more expensive.
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