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Yuneec's Mantis Q drone packs 4K and voice control for $500
DJI's Spark isn't the only game in town if you want a small, relatively powerful drone with a semi-reasonable price tag. Yuneec has launched US pre-orders for the Mantis Q, a robotic flier that blurs the lines between 'budget' drones like the Spark and higher-end counterparts like the Mavic Air. For $500, you're mostly getting technology that would normally require a much costlier outlay, including 4K video recording, infrared- and sonar-based indoor stabilization, and foldable arms that make it easy to shove in a backpack. There are even relatively rare features like voice control, face detection, a 44MPH top speed and a comparatively lengthy 33-minute flight time.
Yuneec's first commercial drone is ready for filming and rescue
Yuneec may be DJI's biggest consumer drone rival, but you probably have only heard of its consumer and selfie drones. Now, it's taking a step into the big leagues with a new model, the H520. The big, six rotor UAV with bright orange visibility is meant for commercial jobs, including video production, public safety, and inspection. It's equipped with a retractable landing gear, mission planning software and a variety of cameras, including a thermal imaging model and one with a two-inch sensor.
Yuneec adds livestreaming to its remote control drone app
Yuneec diverted from its earlier higher-end drones to release a more affordable model last fall, the Breeze. For bundling a 4K camera and several flight modes into a $500 package, we guessed it would make it an ideal elaborate selfie machine. But now it's getting an update that lets users stream footage live on Facebook, YouTube and other services.
The compact Yuneec Breeze drone is built for 4K selfies
Yuneec is known for high-end drones with features like 4K and collision avoidance, but is going straight for Joe Consumer with its latest model. The Breeze is a $500 compact drone with five flight modes and an on-board 4K camera, making it ideal for types who want high-quality aerial selfies.
Yuneec's SkyView drone goggles double as a private home theater
The world of "first person view" (FPV) flying -- where pilots don video specs to see what the drone sees -- isn't new, but consumer-friendly headsets like Yuneec's SkyView goggles might make it more accessible. Stick SkyView on your noggin' (pulled-up socks optional), connect a compatible controller -- like Yuneec's own Typhoon H -- and you'll be flying from the best seat in the house. Inside the $250 SkyView is a 5-inch, 16:9, 720p display, and it connects to any HDMI video source, not just drones.
Yuneec's 3D-sensing drone is available for pre-order
Have you been curious to see how a drone fares when it has Intel's depth-aware RealSense tech onboard? You now have a chance to find out first-hand. Yuneec has started taking pre-orders for the Typhoon H, its first drone with RealSense built-in. Plunk down $1,899 ($100 more than mentioned in January) and you'll get a hexacopter that uses Intel's camera system to map its environment and avoid obstacles while it records your adventures. You'll also get 4K video, 12-megapixel still shots and a 7-inch Android-based controller. It's a lot to pay, and you'll have to endure a 4-week wait if you're in the first wave, but look at it this way: the money you spend now might save you from a nasty tree collision in the future.
DJI goes after Yuneec with patent infringement suit
Drones are a mainstream item in today's tech world, and two rival UAV makers are heading to court. DJI filed a patent infringement lawsuit in California against Yuneec for violating two of its patents. The company claims that Yuneec is selling products that infringe on one or more patents it holds regarding target tracking and an "interchangeable mounting platform." DJI seeks stop any sales of products that make use of its intellectual property.
Yuneec Typhoon H drone uses Intel tech to avoid collisions
DJI-rival Yuneec has a new hexacopter under its Typhoon line of drones, and it's compatible with a collision avoidance module based on Intel's RealSense technology. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich demonstrated the drone during the company's CES keynote today, where the audience watched it successfully navigate an obstacle course and avoid a falling tree in its path. Krzanich even claimed that it's the "first truly intelligent consumer drone." Before its performance on the CES stage, though, the tech corporation sent it to Mexico for some real-world experience.
DJI's Phantom 3 has its biggest rival in Yuneec's 4K Typhoon drone
We'd understand if you're not familiar with Yuneec; we've only written about its products twice. However, it's fairly well-known in the quadcopter world, and best described as a direct rival to DJI. When I reviewed DJI's 4K Phantom 3 Professional drone ($1,259), a reader asked if we could compare it to Yuneec's rival Typhoon Q500 model (around $1,100, but with a lower-res 1080p camera). Days later, Yuneec announced an updated Typhoon with 4K shooting for $1,299, making the comparison much easier. It only seemed fair to grant our reader's wish, and check out what the new Typhoon had to offer.
Yuneec's hexacopter drone is a lot lighter than it looks
It's true that we had some misgivings about calling Yuneec's 13.9-pound E-Go skateboard "light," but that certainly doesn't apply here. Enticed by a PR rep's invitation to, "go ahead, pick it up," we did just that, and were taken aback by exactly how light it was, thanks in large part to its carbon fiber body. The Flying Eyes HX3 weighs all of 3.1 pounds sans battery and is capable of carrying up to 4.4 pounds. With a payload attached, the copter can fly between 45 and 90 minutes. It'll run you $3,000 when it finally launches later this year. Terrence O'Brien contributed to this report.
Yuneec's E-Go Cruiser electric skateboard is a 'light' 13.9-pounds
Sure, we've seen a number of electric skateboards out there, but we certainly won't be turning down the chance to check out one more anytime soon. According to its creators, the E-Go Cruiser is the "lightest" electric longboard out there, and while 13.9 pounds is hardly featherweight, compared to manual longboards we've used in the past, it's definitely a fair bit lighter than other electric ones we've tried. We would, however, have preferred some kind of handle we could use to carry it around. The bottom of the desk is covered in carbon fiber and a battery that's surprisingly slim, as it's built into the bottom of the board. After hopping on it for a bit, we have to say, we prefer the Zboards' pad-based control system as opposed to the handheld remote - particularly since backing up requires you to fully stop, flip a switch and then hit the forward button. According to the rep we spoke with, the company is considering getting rid of reverse altogether. The E-Go can manage hills and should give you up to 18 miles on a charge. The company's asking $700 for the longboard. Terrence O'Brien contributed to this report.
