It was at the CES 2011 that we first saw the iPhone-controlled Parrot AR Drone, it may or may not see the light of day, but that is no deterrent to famous UAV drone manufacturer DJI, who has announced its new consumer quadcopter – the PHANTOM. PHANTOM comes with a dedicated handheld RC controller, which can control the flight of the quadcopter up to 300 meters (984 feet) away. DJI with the incorporation of intelligent GPS-based auto pilot system on the PHANTOM, for the first time brings professional multi-rotor flight control technology to common users.
The GPS also makes the PHANTOM autonomous if it may get lost, allowing it to hold position in mid air or return to it base. The PHANTOM is stuck up with high-intensity red and green LEDs on the underside of its four rotor arms, which makes it easier for the pilot, on the ground, to make sense of the quadcopter’s in-flight orientation.
The only down side of the PHANTOM is that it doesn’t come with a built-in camera – so you can’t see things live from a UAV’s prospective. Though, it has a slot to hold a compact camera for recorded viewing. Priced at $679, PHANTOM is surely a great deal. The aircraft comes with built-in lithium-polymer battery that keeps it airborne for 10 to 15 minutes. The PHANTOM automatically lands if the battery goes too low. PHANTOM’s dedicated controlled is powered by four AA batteries.
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