French drone-making company Parrot, perpetual underdog to the Chinese drone giant DJI, has announced the next generation of its flagship Bebop camera drone: the Bebop 2.
According to CNET, the Bebop 2 is aimed at consumers who want a drone that requires no setup and can basically fly right out of the box. It weighs just over a pound, can reach 330 feet in 18 seconds, and can stay airborne in winds of up to 40 miles-per-hour, according to Parrot.
It promises a starting flight time of 25 minutes from a full battery charge. The camera, identical to that of previous models, can record up to 8 GB of 1080p video, and it now comes with a design that better protects the lens.
Rather than using a gimbal to stabilize a camera pod, as on many competing drones, the camera on the Bebop 2 is mounted right in the body of the drone, and relies on balancing software to ensure a smooth, steady image capture.
The Parrot Bebop 2 will go on sale in the united States on December 14th, with a starting price of $550. Perfect timing for the holidays, so be sure to pair it with this primer on responsible drone flying. And, um, maybe some French lessons, as that’s the language used on the current tutorial site for the Bebop 2.