Drones

GoPro's flat-folding Karma drone arrives in the skies

GoPro's flat-folding Karma drone arrives in the skies
The GoPro Karma in action
The GoPro Karma in action
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The GoPro Karma in action
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The GoPro Karma in action
Using the Karma Remote, along with the Passenger app (foreground)
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Using the Karma Remote, along with the Passenger app (foreground)
The GoPro Karma fits in an included backpack
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The GoPro Karma fits in an included backpack
The GoPro Karma has a maximum speed of 35 mph (15 m/s), a radio control range of 3,280 ft (1,000 m), and can operate at a maximum altitude of 14,500 ft (4,500 m)
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The GoPro Karma has a maximum speed of 35 mph (15 m/s), a radio control range of 3,280 ft (1,000 m), and can operate at a maximum altitude of 14,500 ft (4,500 m)
View gallery - 4 images

We heard talk of it at least as long ago as last May, and today GoPro has delivered – it's officially unveiled its Karma drone. The quadcopter's propeller arms and landing gear can be folded down so it can fit in an included backpack, and it utilizes a stock Hero4 or (just-released) Hero5 camera. It also features its own dedicated remote-control unit with an integrated touchscreen, so users won't have to press their phone or tablet into service.

Another clever feature of the Karma is its 3-axis camera stabilizer, which can be removed from the drone when it's not in flight, attached to the included Karma Grip, and then used as a motorized handheld camera stabilizer – think of it as GoPro's answer to the DJI Osmo.

The drone itself has a maximum speed of 35 mph (15 m/s), a radio control range of 3,280 ft (1,000 m), and can operate at a maximum altitude of 14,500 ft (4,500 m). Its 14.8V/5,100-mAh lithium-polymer battery allows for about 20 minutes of flight time per one-hour charge … so it's not quite up there with the 30-minute flight time of drones from DJI and others.

The GoPro Karma has a maximum speed of 35 mph (15 m/s), a radio control range of 3,280 ft (1,000 m), and can operate at a maximum altitude of 14,500 ft (4,500 m)
The GoPro Karma has a maximum speed of 35 mph (15 m/s), a radio control range of 3,280 ft (1,000 m), and can operate at a maximum altitude of 14,500 ft (4,500 m)

The Karma Remote control unit runs for four hours per charge, and displays the copter's point-of-view footage on a 720p screen. Along with controlling the flight of the drone, the unit also allows users to start and stop recording, and pan/tilt the camera as desired. Additionally, if other people want to watch the footage or even co-pilot the Karma, they can do so on their paired mobile device, using the upcoming Passenger app.

There isn't any word about commonly-seen features such as a Follow Me mode (in which the drone automatically flies along above the user) or the ability to follow predetermined flight paths, although the Karma can perform a variety of preprogrammed aerial moves to give videographers the "look" that they're seeking.

As of October 23rd, the Karma can be ordered in one of three bundles: a supply-your-own-camera package for US$799.99, a pack with an included Hero5 Black for $1,099.99, or a bundle with a smaller Hero5 Session camera for $999.99 (the latter of which which won't be available until early next year).

The Karma can be seen in action, in the video below.

Source: GoPro

GoPro: Introducing Karma

View gallery - 4 images
3 comments
3 comments
Milton
This thing is going to sell like hot-cakes. I watched the reveal in hopes of there being a new Session cam (there is!) and then when they announced the bundle-prices I'm convinced. Can't wait!
Gringo
Being a sailor who is in the process of building a waterproof drone, I was interested to see the footage of Karma being launched from a kayak and other footage of it flying low over a large glacial bay full of salt water.
But there is no mention of water proof design here. Is this waterproof, or will it be totally destroyed if it lands in the ocean?
Martin Hone
3-axis camera stabilisation....so why didn't they called 'Calmer' ?