Japanese electronics giant Sony has recently unveiled a new camera drone prototype as part of its foray into the commercial drone industry. The prototype, which flies like a conventional airplane but is capable of taking off vertically and hovering like a multirotor, is the product of Aerosense — a new joint venture between Sony and robotics company ZMP.
The drone has a propulsion system that is very similar to the V-22 Osprey military aircraft which is capable of both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL). It also uses imaging, sensing and networking technology developed by Sony for its smartphone range. ZMP, on the other hand, provided its technical expertise in robotics.
Thanks to its VTOL capability, the drone is able to fly further and operate longer than conventional multirotors yet is still able to hover and survey a location from the air when needed.
Sony hopes to market the drone for commercial aerial surveillance and reconnaissance which includes measuring, surveying, observing and inspecting operations. This means the drone will be aimed squarely at industries such as construction, oil and gas and agriculture for use in hard to reach or dangerous locations.