#HTE

The GoPro Drone is Finally Here, and It Looks Amazing

There is perhaps no company that has helped change the way we view video more than GoPro. By simply creating a small, relatively affordable, easy-to-operate camera with a simple interface, they have enabled the masses to capture and share footage that was previously too difficult or expensive to lense.

Now they’ve taken it a step further with Karma, the much-ballyhooed GoPro drone that’s been under wraps until now. As revealed below, it looks freaking amazing. Before we discuss how this cements GoPro’s status as a solid design company, take a look at this thing:

With Karma, GoPro has proven they are capable of the kind of end-to-end design that we used to expect only from Steve-Jobs-era Apple. GoPro’s designers did a lot more than create a small flying craft: As evidenced by the finished design, they carefully considered every aspect of the user experience.

Starting with, of course, how you carry the thing. By opting for the low profile and backpack storage, they’ve obviated the first paint point of how to transport a delicate, expensive item into potentially rugged territory. Other drones require partial assembly on-site and/or transport in a bulky protective case.

Next the designers tackled the necessary step of locating the camera mount such that the drone’s rotors do not spoil the view. (I am always surprised, when viewing footage from other drones, when the rotors come into view; that flaw speaks of a cobbled-together system.)

GoPro’s flight software appears to reduce the learning curve of mastering drone flight (though of course we’ll have to wait for actual reviews to come in before we can consider that a success).

The controller itself is a handsome piece of design, separating the simple thumb-operated flight controls on the deck from the finger-operated camera controls on the exterior.

The Karma Grip is a well-thought-out piece of equipment, allowing you to pop the camera gimbal off of the drone and onto the Grip–which intelligently provides camera controls on the wand itself. I also love that it does triple duty, going from handheld to backpack-shoulder-strap-mounted to helmet-mounted.

The Karma will be released on October 23rd and will retail for USD $799 (no camera included). It’s compatible with the Hero 4, Hero 5 Black and Hero 5 Session.