Made for water sports
HOVERAir is primarily known for its self-flying drones like the X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max. Now the company is venturing from the air to the waves, teasing the upcoming HOVERAir Aqua, which it claims will be the world's first camera drone capable of taking off and landing directly on water.
The Aqua hasn't been fully unveiled yet, but Zero Zero Robotics, the company behind the HOVERAir brand, is already showing off some key technical details on the official teaser page. A video shows the orange drone taking off from the water and following an athlete surfing or stand-up paddleboarding. The Aqua is advertised with wind resistance up to Level 7, which corresponds to wind speeds of up to 33 knots (approximately 61 km/h). The maximum speed is said to be 55 km/h.
Hands-free and lightweight
The Aqua is designed to bring the renowned "hands-free" concept of the HOVERAir series to the water. It is buoyant, fully waterproof, and designed for use in water sports, boating, and at the beach. According to the manufacturer, the design incorporates a number of special adaptations for operation on water, including water-resistant materials and corrosion-resistant components.
With a weight of less than 249 grams, the Aqua falls into a category with simplified flight requirements in many countries. In Germany, drones with a takeoff weight of 250 grams or less are generally permitted to be flown in the open category A1. A special drone pilot's license exam is not required in this weight class, but registration with the Federal Aviation Office (LBA) and drone insurance are mandatory.
Camera with water-optimized optics
Initial details on the imaging technology are also available. The camera drone uses a 1/1,3-inch CMOS image sensor and optics specially developed for underwater photography. Videos are recorded in 4K at up to 100 frames per second. Sample footage on the website shows smooth aerial tracking sequences.
Zero Zero Robotics has not yet revealed when the full presentation will take place. Interested parties can visit the official Aqua website Sign up for notifications.
