Drones

The Mind4 could take auto-tracking drones to new heights

The Mind4 could take auto-tracking drones to new heights
The Mind4 drone takes a different approach to tracking athletes from above
The Mind4 drone takes a different approach to tracking athletes from above
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The team behind Mind4 has devised a tracking solution it describes as "cutting edge computer vision technology"
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The team behind Mind4 has devised a tracking solution it describes as "cutting edge computer vision technology"
The Mind4 drone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery to allow around 20 minutes of flying time
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The Mind4 drone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery to allow around 20 minutes of flying time
The user positions the drone so that the subject is onscreen in a companion smartphone app and hits Autolock
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The user positions the drone so that the subject is onscreen in a companion smartphone app and hits Autolock
The drone weighs 960 g (33.9 oz) and features a 2D gimbal and mount for external cameras with HDMI or USB ports
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The drone weighs 960 g (33.9 oz) and features a 2D gimbal and mount for external cameras with HDMI or USB ports
The Mind4 drone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery to allow around 20 minutes of flying time
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The Mind4 drone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery to allow around 20 minutes of flying time
Mind4 is also claimed to the world's first Android-based drone, which the team says will allow for greater customization
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Mind4 is also claimed to the world's first Android-based drone, which the team says will allow for greater customization
Video footage is shot at 720p and the drone features a 2D gimbal with mount for external cameras with HDMI or USB ports
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Video footage is shot at 720p and the drone features a 2D gimbal with mount for external cameras with HDMI or USB ports
The Mind4 drone takes a different approach to tracking athletes from above
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The Mind4 drone takes a different approach to tracking athletes from above
The user positions the drone so that the subject is onscreen in a companion smartphone app and hits Autolock
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The user positions the drone so that the subject is onscreen in a companion smartphone app and hits Autolock
The drone has a range of 2 km (1.2 mi)
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The drone has a range of 2 km (1.2 mi)
The team behind Mind4 has devised a tracking solution it describes as "cutting edge computer vision technology"
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The team behind Mind4 has devised a tracking solution it describes as "cutting edge computer vision technology"
The drone auto tracks the subject as they move around, using computer algorithms to calculate the position
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The drone auto tracks the subject as they move around, using computer algorithms to calculate the position
View gallery - 12 images

Among the swarm of consumer drones to emerge this year, a number have been aimed squarely at action sports devotees. What defines these vehicles is a tracking feature that enables the drone to autonomously follow athletes from above, but these generally require the user to carry a smartphone to communicate their GPS position. Streaming from a built-in camera to a smartphone app, the Mind4 drone instead allows users to select any object to follow onscreen, a feature that could lead to new possibilities in aerial drone photography.

As battery life, payload capabilities and camera specs continue to advance, photography and videography using drones are becoming more and more remarkable. Notable examples this year include a stunning surf video shot above Indonesia's Mentawai Islands, and getting up close and personal with a wild eagle. But achieving these heights in drone photography involves expert piloting skills or incredible luck, or perhaps a bit of both.

This is why we are seeing drone manufacturers looking to offer new levels of autonomy to widen their appeal. Designed with extreme sports such as skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding and biking in mind, tracking functions offered in models like the Airdog, Hexo+ and Iris+ promise to capture all the high-adrenaline fun from above, without the possibility of human error.

But the team behind Mind4 believes it can do better. It lists the downsides of relying on GPS as the need to carry a GPS signal device (smartphone), water sports being out of the question, the GPS signal becoming weak and the margin for error extending to 20 meters (65 ft).

It has devised a solution it describes as "cutting edge computer vision technology." This involves the user positioning the drone so that the subject is onscreen in a companion smartphone app (to be available on both iOS and Android). They can then either hit the Autolock button for the system to automatically select and lock onto a subject, or manually select an object themselves using a finger. Hitting start then sees the drone track the subject as they move around, using computer algorithms to calculate the position. The company says accuracy can be as high as one millimeter (0.04 in).

The drone weighs 960 g (33.9 oz) and features a 2D gimbal and mount for external cameras with HDMI or USB ports
The drone weighs 960 g (33.9 oz) and features a 2D gimbal and mount for external cameras with HDMI or USB ports

Another new feature of the Mind4 drone is gesture control, meaning should you need to take control of the drone there's no need to take your phone out of your pocket. Waving a right hand brings the drone closer, throwing both hands in the air takes a photo or pointing at the ground brings it back down to earth.

Video footage is shot at 720p and the drone features a 2D gimbal and mount for external cameras with HDMI or USB ports should you need more pixels. The drone itself weighs 960 g (33.9 oz), has a range of 2 km (1.2 mi) and is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery to allow around 20 minutes of flying time.

Mind4 is also claimed to be the world's first Android-based drone, which the team says will allow for greater customization. This begins with six stock apps designed for various sports such as skiing, surfing, cycling and hiking and extends to the ability develop apps of your own. The body gesture control can also be customized.

Airmind, the company behind Mind4, has built functioning prototypes and is looking to raise funds on Kickstarter to scale up production. Early pledges of US$899 will have one sent your way in September 2015, if all goes to plan.

You can check out the pitch video below.

Sources: Airmind, Kickstarter

View gallery - 12 images
3 comments
3 comments
yawood
Sounds like it might have some security applications for female joggers who are jogging alone. The app could even be extended to notify security services if a pre-determined gesture was made.
Mel Tisdale
No mention of obstacle avoidance. Considering that much of the promo video was shot among trees, I think we can safely conclude that they are aware of the problem, if only from the repair bills they must have incurred in getting their demonstrators fixed and back in the air.
jetserf
@yawood It would have security applications for men and women.