When Sony teased the AirPeak late last year, it didn’t give us much to make one. We knew the consumer electronics giant was finally entering the drone business – but beyond that, not much else. Just a dark image or two of a piece of the UAV.
At this week’s CES, the company finally got ready to show off some more. “Today we will be showcasing a product that integrates AI and robotics,” CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in an announcement video, “designed for adventurous creators.”
The drone is designed to carry Sony’s own imaging technology – specifically the Alpha series of mirrorless. And while it’s big compared to what we’re used to seeing from the consumer side of companies like DJI, Sony says it will be the smallest drone on the market that can be fitted with its cameras.
Along with this announcement, the company is also launching footage of the drone in action, as well as a video captured with its on-board camera. The drone flew through the snow and managed to capture some nice steady footage, all things considered. Also of note: The car in the video is the Vision-S concept that the company unveiled this time around last year.
The system seems to compete with some of the more pro models. DJI has this market under lock and key – as well as virtually every category of drone. Although DJI owns a majority stake in Hasselblad, Sony’s system looks like an exclusive, purpose-built design. This could certainly be a bonus from a compatibility standpoint, although it doesn’t look like you can swap the Alpha for different cameras.
The company is aiming for a spring version of the system. No word on pricing yet.
