Science

3D Robotics IRIS+ drone goes hands-free with Follow Me technology

Taking consumer drones to the next level, 3DR's latest quadcopter can follow you toting a stabilized GoPro camera to record your every move and does it for less than $1,000.

Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice

Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.

Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials

More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.

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Joshua Goldman

Sept. 23, 2014 11:16 a.m. PT

2 min read

GoPro cameras are great for capturing your view of what you're doing, but recording yourself usually involves poles or another person. The IRIS+ from 3D Robotics now gives you the opportunity to have a drone as your personal camera crew.

According to 3D Robotics, the quadcopter is the first consumer drone with "follow me" technology. Using 3DR's 3PV (third-person view) Follow Me feature, the IRIS+ can be set up to follow any GPS-enabled Android device. The gimbal is also controlled by the 3PV system, so the camera stays centered on you while keeping the image stabilized.

Beyond that, 3DR's DroidPlanner app can be used to plan flights just by drawing a flight plan on any Android tablet or phone and giving you as many waypoints as you want. The IRIS+ can even keep the camera focused on the same location throughout an entire flight. Automated mission planning can be done with Mac, Windows, and Linux computers, too.

You will also be able to control the Follow Me functions from Android smartwatches. From a 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+ has some design improvements as well, including self-tightening screw-on propellers and LED orientation lights. It also has an improved power system and lighter-weight arms and legs for longer flight times. However, you might still find its flight times of between 15 and 20 minutes on the short side depending on the activity you plan to capture.

The 3D Robotics site has more details on the IRIS+, or you can buy one now starting at $750. That price is a little deceiving since it doesn't include the $219 gimbal or a camera . Even with those additional costs, the IRIS+ is competitively priced considering all that it can do. Region-specific pricing was unavailable, but that $750 starting price translates to roughly £466 or AU$808 in the UK and Australia, respectively.