FPV = The Next Big Thing, Why It is So Addictive, and Why You Should Know About it!

18 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
  • |
FPV (First person view) is in the midst of a super boom. It is particularly associated with personal drones. What happens in FPV is that a camera attached to the model transmits real-time picture to a monitor or goggles that the operator is wearing. So essentially, it is as if you are actually on the aircraft yourself. So basically, it is a poor man's full size helicopter or plane. Right now, all the major brands and technology for middle and low end commercial drones are based in China. The biggest company is DJI Innovations.

To start off, I would like to show you a couple of videos about what FPV is all about. The following videos were shot in Koh Samui. They are among the best FPV videos I have ever seen but the operator was very irresponsible and reckless as well. In the first video, he flew low over the main street in Chewang beach. If his quad had got caught by the power lines, it could have fallen to the ground and hit a motorcyclist. There are often 3 or 4 people riding a motorcycle there. In the second video, he flew the quadcopter fast and low. In one scene, he actually flew it right into the lobby of a hotel and came out the other side. His other videos were just as irresponsible. He flew over the swimming pools of hotels where he watched women sunbathing.

But anyway, I think it is easy to why why FPV is so addictive.



This is a description of his setup and the drone involved. Imagine such a thing suddenly flying into your home.

Arendatorovnet strikes again - Quadcopter flying in Thailand | Personal Drones

  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Pretty cool!


    It would really sell extra well in America if the drones were also outfitted with weapons for some sort of non dangerous air combat.
    Signature

    "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8762290].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kurt
      Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

      Pretty cool!


      It would really sell extra well in America if the drones were also outfitted with weapons for some sort of non dangerous air combat.

      You know TL, that's a pretty good idea. Combine laser tag with the RC drones and you could stage drone "dogfights".

      Dibs on the knickname "Red Baron".
      Signature
      Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
      Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8763263].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
        Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

        You know TL, that's a pretty good idea. Combine laser tag with the RC drones and you could stage drone "dogfights".

        Dibs on the knickname "Red Baron".
        I can see it now...:rolleyes:

        News Flash...
        Plain crashes after pilot reports spotting a UFO firing some type of Laser.

        The pilot's last transmission was "Mayday!, Mayday! I've been hit in the eyes...
        we're going down! Mayday!, Mayday!"
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8763575].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
        Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

        You know TL, that's a pretty good idea. Combine laser tag with the RC drones and you could stage drone "dogfights".

        Dibs on the knickname "Red Baron".

        Thanks Kurt.

        I'm just an old Microsoft combat flight simulator fighter pilot who would love to see something like this come to life.

        BTW...

        I prefer WW2 airplanes and I'll take a P-51 Mustang as my plane of choice.
        Signature

        "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8764799].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
    Oh wow, that would be so much fun!

    But, Snoopy has forever given me a slightly less image to be invoked
    whenever I think of the Red Baron.
    Signature

    The bartender says: "We don't serve faster-than-light particles here."

    ...A tachyon enters a bar.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8763274].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Derek - your concerns about these are the same I have about Amazon wanting to do drone delivery. They have to fly low and avoid airports or they are a threat to aircraft. We've already seen such accidents. So they are low flying aircraft - and can become a public nuisence and hazard very quickly. And of course if Amazon has them pretty soon everyone else wants one, too - and we end up with some real crowded air space just over our heads (hopefully over far enough that they aren't decapitating pedestrians).

    My more esoteric concerns are that by allowing them to be used for benign purposes and getting people to accept them being there, there will also be many in the air for purposes that are not so benign as delivering packages. They may also be armed without informing the public.

    Just because we have technology - it doesn't mean that it's a good idea to use it.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8763292].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    Wow... that's one of the coolest things I've seen. New hobby to aspire to.

    TL - That's a fun idea. Your game could be the training ground for future amazon deliveries.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8764067].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      My only issue with drones, being used by Amazon or being available freely is fairly simple.

      In parts of the world where they experience a lot of drones dropping bombs on them, they too would like to come to America or anywhere in the west, to buy a drone. Only not for the sort of fun you or I would have with them and lets be honest, it wouldn't be hard to write Amazon Prime on the side and stick an explosive something in the yellow box.

      I hate to be a killjoy but if I was that way inclined, this would be like a dream come true.
      Signature

      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8764577].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

        My only issue with drones, being used by Amazon or being available freely is fairly simple.

        In parts of the world where they experience a lot of drones dropping bombs on them, they too would like to come to America or anywhere in the west, to buy a drone. Only not for the sort of fun you or I would have with them and lets be honest, it wouldn't be hard to write Amazon Prime on the side and stick an explosive something in the yellow box.

        I hate to be a killjoy but if I was that way inclined, this would be like a dream come true.
        I'll just line 'em up in my sights and take 'em down. Another score for the Red Baron!
        Signature
        Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
        Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8764814].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          I'll just line 'em up in my sights and take 'em down. Another score for the Red Baron!
          Yup, and then you'd get a nice big dirty bomb landing on your German head my dear Mr Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen. :p

          By the way, the idea's thrown about were great and sound superb fun. I'm just saying if I was terrorist minded I'd also agree with you and very much encourage you to have fun and enjoy the games and I'd hope like Derek mentioned, that very soon, everyone will have a little personal drone.
          Signature

          Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8764944].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Kurt
            Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

            Yup, and then you'd get a nice big dirty bomb landing on your German head my dear Mr Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen. :p

            By the way, the idea's thrown about were great and sound superb fun. I'm just saying if I was terrorist minded I'd also agree with you and very much encourage you to have fun and enjoy the games and I'd hope like Derek mentioned, that very soon, everyone will have a little personal drone.
            The Red Baron's uncle moved to Denver and built the Richthofen Castle:
            Richthofen Castle

            As far as drones, we've already had car bombs and mail bombs. Should we not have cars and postal service?

            What about having fewer vehicles on the streets? What type of impact will that have on safety and the environment, as well as traffic congestion?

            Drones are being used by farmers to inspect crops so they can use less fertilizer and pesticides, rescue crews use drones in dangerous situations and drones are being used to save elephants:

            Signature
            Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
            Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8765715].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
              Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

              As far as drones, we've already had car bombs and mail bombs. Should we not have cars and postal service?
              Yes. Quite right. It was just a thought I was having, I'm not trying to dictate how you live or anything.

              Enjoy your weekend Red Baron.
              Signature

              Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8767305].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    There is already something like that available. The "drone" and FPV system involved is of somewhat low quality i.e. toy quality. Although a few months, a person tried to use such a drone to take photos of Angela Merkel at an event. That sparked off security concerns and the operator was ordered to bring it down.


    There is no doubt that bigger drones can be weaponized and controlled by FPV. Radio transmitters nowadays have a range of up to 6 km. As you can see in my videos, you can pilot the drone through winding narrow streets and there is little risk of them being detected and shot down.

    If you need more convincing that FPV is in the midst of a super boom, then look no further than Google Trends.

    Google Trends

    There is already talk that one day, every family will have a personal drone. As to whether there is any marketing opportunities, I would say yes but it is not easy. For a start, there is a very dominant player called DJI Systems and their prices are strictly controlled. That means it is almost impossible to find a shop that will sell their stuff at a lower price.
    Signature

    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8764837].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    Well this one, the same AR Drone as above, crashed landed in front of Merkel. Imagine what could have happened if there was a bomb strapped to it. We will definitely many more stories like this next year.

    Signature

    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8764952].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    Anyway, FPV does not have to be used on a flying model. Here is an example of one that is used in a model car. It is clear that it can be used for looking up skirts by voyeurs. As you can see, the camera follows the movement of the operator's head. Even the music is suggestive "it is hot in here, take off all your clothes"

    Signature

    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8766557].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sirr
    I think I've found my next project for 2014 Build your own from scratch. I'll add a laser, a speaker, and a paint ball gun. Fly around the town shooting the graffiti artists.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8767674].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    That's pretty interesting. It is amazing what technology can do.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8769167].message }}

Trending Topics