Skip to main content

Watch this ridiculously fast drone zip into the stratosphere in half a second

minicp120 x2208 2000kv 6x4.5 hqprop kiss esc 18a nanowii 4s1800 40c
Consumer-oriented drones are getting more advanced with each passing month, but for all their crazy capabilities, they still can’t hold a candle to some of the custom setups that multirotor hobbyists are putting together out in the wild. Case in point: this insanely fast quadcopter rig designed by the good folks at Quadmovr.
Recommended Videos

The video starts off somewhat innocuously, with the drone slowly hovering away from the pilot at speeds you’re probably used to seeing. But then things get crazy. Suddenly the guy punches the accelerator and takes the drone up to full throttle, seemingly sending it into the stratosphere in just a second or two.

150430-0004It’s impossible to tell how high it goes or how fast it’s actually accelerating based on the video footage alone, but even without any data or points of reference, it’s obvious that this quad is faster than most. Just listen to that sound it makes when the pilot mashes on the accelerator. The props are moving so fast that they don’t even make the usual “buzz” noise that other drones do. It’s more of a high pitched “Woooo!” that  makes it sound sort of like a UFO as it whizzes by the camera.

Also, the dude flying the drone has some next-level piloting skills. This is a pretty agile little quadcopter to begin with, but this guy pushes it to the limit, busting out all sorts of flips, barrel rolls, cartwheels, stalls, and a bunch of other tricks for your viewing pleasure.

Exact details on the drone’s construction aren’t available (yet), but Quadmovr divulges the main components of the build in the video’s title. With a few hundred bucks in parts and a little bit of tinkering, you could totally build one of these badboys yourself.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Sony’s first drone, the Airpeak S1, rockets to 55 mph in just 3.5 seconds
sony airpeak s1 drone news close

Sony has announced its first drone, the Airpeak S1, and it will out-accelerate the competition by rocketing to 50 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 55.9mph. That makes it the fastest accelerating drone in the industry. It’s not competing with small consumer drones like the DJI Mavic Air 2, however -- this is a large pro-level drone designed to carry a gimbal and a full-size camera, ready for commercial use in the skies. And it costs $9,000.

The Airpeak S1 has a 644mm total span, making it similar in size to the DJI Inspire 2 but far more capable in terms of payload and ability. It's the smallest drone that can carry a full-size mirrorless Sony Alpha camera equipped with interchangeable lenses. It uses five stereo cameras and two infrared cameras along with Sony’s new Vision Sensing Processor, and power is delivered using a new propulsion system using brushless motors, and an internal battery for a flight time of up to 22 minutes. Sony promises excellent stability during windy conditions too, stating it will remain steady even when wind speed reaches 44mph or 20 meters per second.

Read more
DJI shows off volcano video shot with its new FPV drone
dji shows off volcano video shot with its new fpv drone  iceland

Lots of keen drone pilots have been heading to Iceland recently to capture dramatic aerial shots of Mount Fagradalsfjall, which has been erupting since March.

DJI, which released its first FPV (first person view) drone in the same month, recently hooked up with local drone pilot Ása Steinars to capture footage of the volcano’s spectacular lava fountains using the company’s latest flying machine.

Read more
DJI leak suggests a smaller FPV drone may be incoming
dji fpv drone accelerates faster than tesla news specs price release lifestyle 2 of 4

DJI has been surprisingly busy recently, pumping out a series of new quadcopters in a bid to consolidate its position as the top dog in the consumer drone market.

And it may be close to releasing another one.

Read more