Eye3: Build your own flying robot to film your flag football games

Dan Seitz Contributing Writer, Tech

eye3 309x183 Eye3: Build your own flying robot to film your flag football gamesThe “helicopter” shot is the mark of a big budget Hollywood production, largely because it’s insanely expensive. That happens to be because it’s also insanely risky: flying a helicopter is a tough job even in the best of conditions, so you don’t get them in the air for a song.

Fortunately for indie filmmakers, there are RC enthusiasts who want to give them tiny helicopters to fly their lightweight cameras around and get great helicopter shots. Specifically, there’s the eye3, from Kellie Sigler.

The great thing about the eye3 is that it’s relatively affordable as these things go: $2500 for a complete kit. OK, OK, that sounds like a lot to have your very own flying drone hovering over the game, videotaping your every move. But consider that’s actually fairly cheap compared to even using other helicopter drones, and also that this is designed to be idiotproof.

And to be fair, for your $2500, you get a lot for your money: autopilot software, a hexacopter designed to withstand up to two engine failures and land safely, and also bragging rights as you make yourself look awesome by having a helicopter fly over and record your athletic prowess.

Or you get a funny view of yourself faceplanting in the mud, but hey, both will get major views on YouTube.

eye3 [Kickstarter]

What'd you think of this?

Cast My Vote

comment on this story

blog comments powered by Disqus