• About Geek Beat
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Geek Beat

One of the world’s most recognizable technology news brands, delivering daily tech news, tips, and reviews.

  • News
    • Apple
    • CES
    • Editor’s Choice
    • Google
    • How To’s
    • Microsoft
    • Music
    • Mobility
    • NABShow
    • Photography
  • Episodes
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Connect With Us
    • Chat Rooms
    • DropCams
    • Geek Beat Live!
    • Product Review Submissions
Home > News > 3D Robotics Adds Smartwatch Functionality, Richard Branson

3D Robotics Adds Smartwatch Functionality, Richard Branson

September 16, 2014 by Benjamin J. Roethig

Last week we saw 3D Robotics announce their awesome Iris+ drone. It didn’t take them long to want to make it even better. The company is looking at integrating the drone with smartwatches. The smartwatch app would allow users to switch modes and activate their Follow Me technology. The company has also announced that the mad billionaire Richard Branson is joining their list of investors. To celebrate Branson investing in the company, a Iris+ flyby of his private Caribbean island was released on YouTube.

3D Robotics Announces Sir Richard Branson as New Investor, IRIS+ Smartwatch Integration

Virgin teams with 3D Robotics to take consumer drone applications to the next level—fast!

Berkeley, CA – September 15, 2014 – 3D Robotics, the leading North American drone company across both consumer and enterprise channels, today officially welcomes Sir Richard Branson as the latest investor in the company, after the iconic entrepreneur was blown away by 3D Robotics’ technological capabilities, disruptive vision and extensive professional community. In addition, 3DR announced smartwatch integration with the IRIS+ platform, making on-the-go use of the IRIS+ and its revolutionary Follow Me technology even easier.

3DR CEO Chris Anderson and CTO Jordi Muñoz have both contributed visionary articles about the future of drones (respectively Democratizing The Overview Effect and How to Become a Drone Entrepreneur) to the Virgin blog. Additionally, 3DR today released a welcome “postcard” video shot entirely during their visit to Branson’s Necker Island in the Virgin Islands.

“It’s amazing to see what a little flying object with a GoPro attached can do. Before they came along the alternative was an expensive helicopter and crew,” stated Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. “I’m really excited about the potential 3DR sees in drones. They can do a lot of good in the world, and I hope this affordable technology will give many more people the chance to see our beautiful planet from such a powerful perspective.”

This perspective now entails another upgrade to the IRIS+ platform that 3DR released last week, integrating smartwatch wearable technology with the IRIS+ 3PV™ Follow Me application. 3PV™ keeps the IRIS+ camera centered on you as you do what you do, and wearable technology makes this even simpler, as well as expands the possibilities of what you can do with the camera while you’re in action. Because a smartwatch sits on your wrist and isn’t held in your hand like a phone or tablet, its screen is more accessible and less obtrusive to activity if you want to operate Follow Me modes in action. From the smartwatch screen, you can switch modes mid-flight with the tip of your finger: tell the drone to follow left, follow right, lead you, or circle.

The IRIS+ with the free integrated smartwatch application is now available for purchase at www.3DR.com, for only $750.

New Video of Branson’s Necker Island: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXS-7ntYMe4&feature=youtu.be
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/3drobotics
Photo of IRIS+ in Action: http://snk.to/f-ct3l65mu
Photo of IRIS+ Tablet App: http://snk.to/f-cdniy9px
High-res Product Shot: http://snk.to/f-ctisg83c

About 3DR

3D Robotics develops innovative, flexible and reliable personal drones and UAV technology for everyday exploration and business applications. 3DR’s UAV platforms capture breathtaking aerial imagery for consumer enjoyment and data analysis, enabling mapping, surveying, 3D modeling and more. Our technology is currently used across multiple industries around the world, including agriculture, photography, construction, search and rescue and ecological study. 3DR is committed to bringing the power of UAV technology to the mainstream market. They are best known for their open-sourced platform and the Pixhawk: the most accessible, widely-used autopilot hardware on the market.

Founded in 2009 by Chris Anderson, founder of DIYDrones.com, and Jordi Munoz, 3D Robotics is a VC-backed startup with over 180 employees in North America and more than 28,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, 3DR operates engineering facilities in San Diego, CA; manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico; and marketing in Austin, TX.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 3D, business, smartwatches

About Benjamin J. Roethig

Ben is an external Associate Editor at Geek Beat. He can be described connoisseur of things technological. Ben's hobbies include reading up on Military, Naval, and Aeronautical history, playing around with his Macs and iDevices, exploring the mountainous bluffs of Dubuque, IA and Galena, IL, and proving that 15+ years of practice does not make perfect on his guitars. If you want to find him Ben can be found on Twitter (@benroethig), Google (gplus.to/benroethig), and as an occasional guest on Apple related podcasts.

Popular Posts

  • How To Keep A Constant In Excel And Other Spreadsheets by Scott Ellis | posted on April 19, 2012 | under News, Tutorial
  • How to Use Your Own Router with AT&T U-verse by Chris Bramble | posted on February 17, 2014 | under News, Tutorial
  • How To Add Sound and Voice to Your Photos by giovanni | posted on July 22, 2013 | under Episodes
  • The Complete Guide to Installing A PV (Photovoltaic) Solar Panel System by John P. | posted on September 9, 2013 | under Episodes
  • How Much Money Will Fit in a Briefcase? by John P. | posted on September 26, 2013 | under Episodes
  • How To Scan and Convert Film Negatives to Digital for FREE! by Mark Zamora | posted on April 12, 2012 | under News, Tutorial
  • How To: Setting up the QNAP TVS-463 NAS by Robert Albury | posted on August 12, 2015 | under Tutorial
  • Up, Down, Left, Right, Click! by Jenn Castillo | posted on August 10, 2010 | under News
  • GSM, CDMA and LTE: A Guide to Mobile Network Standards by Benjamin J. Roethig | posted on March 4, 2013 | under News
  • How to Access Advanced Boot Options in Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 by Robert Albury | posted on September 10, 2014 | under Tutorial

Recent Posts

  • Go Mic Mobile Wireless System for Mobile Filmmakers
  • A RAY OF LIGHT
  • Keep Devices Charged Anywhere in the World with the Twist Plus World Charging Station
  • Final Leaked iPhone 7 Details Before The Big Event
  • Should Snapchat Be A Part of Your Digital Strategy?

Recent Comments

  • Ricardo Garza on Streambox Announces 360 Live Video Streaming to YouTube
  • Sunbya on Review: Blue Lola Headphones bring unparalleled quality
  • Jay Anderson on CES2016 – Autel Robotics X-Star Quadcopters
  • Scott Ellis on CES2016 – The Parrot DISCO – The Worlds First Fixed Wing Consumer Drone
  • Ricardo Garza on CES2016 – The Parrot DISCO – The Worlds First Fixed Wing Consumer Drone

Tags

3D Amazon Apple apps audio bluetooth business CE Line Shows 2013 CES computers fitness gadgets games gaming geek geek beat GeekBeat geek house Google health how-to ios john p. kickstarter Microsoft mobile Mobility Music nabshow new building Other photography Reviews robots Samsung social media speakers storage tech technology travel Tutorial vehicles video vlog

Copyright © 2019 · Geek Media on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in