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-ctisg83cAbout 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.
