Sony announced new upgrades for the Airpeak S1 Drone, aimed at enhancing precision, performance, and reliability of the drone for a wide range of applications. The new updates include a stabilization and positioning kit called Real Time Kinematic Kit, a new and enhanced lightweight gimbal, and an enhanced battery. The upgrades aim to bring a significant boost to efficiency, productivity and overall functionality.
Real Time Kinematic Kit
The Real Time Kinematic Kit, or RTK Kit, is a system that achieves more precise positioning and navigation while reducing lag, enabling a more safer flight path and better geotagging for images. Applications for this system could be aerial inspections and news videography.
The RTK system uses satellite signals from Global Navigation Satellite Systems and a drone-mounted receiver, which turns these signals into positioning instructions for the drone. By using multiple satellites, the Airpeak can triangulate its location, velocity, and orientation to the centimeter, providing extremely accurate positioning and stability. The RTK system can also be connected to the internet, allowing the use of a GNSS correction data service to achieve accurate positioning for various working environments.
Gremsy Gimbal, PX1 for Airpeak
The Gremsy Gimbal, PX1 for Airpeak, is a state-of-the-art, lightweight gimbal that has been designed specifically to be used with the Airpeak drone and provides an extensive range of advanced features to capture high-quality aerial footage and data. The PX1 is particularly useful for industries that require superior image quality and accuracy, such as those involved in inspecting wind turbines or surveying urban developments. The PX1 can achieve all of this while being over 40% lighter than the previous Airpeak gimbal, saving valuable weight to improve flight time.
The PX1 operates smoothly with compatible with full-size mirrorless interchangeable lens α cameras such as Sony’s A7R V, A7R IV, or the A7R IVA cameras, and it supports various lenses such as the Zeiss 35mm F2.8, the 24mm F2.8G, 40mm F2.5 G, or the 50 F2.5 G.
The PX1 also pairs with Airpeak and the Flight app via the remote controller, allowing users to control the gimbal’s movements and adjust camera settings with precise tuning. Settings can be changed and adjusted according to the situation without touching the camera, enabling streamlined operation during shooting. The gimbal also has 2 mointing points and the ability to swap out memory cards and batteries without having to remove the camera. Ease of use is key with this drone, despite how intimidating this drone might be to a first-timer.
Updated Battery for Better Flight Times
The Sony LBP-HM1 Battery is specifically designed to provide longer flight times and efficiency. Industrial applications, such as surveying and inspections, require longer flights and less downtime, so this battery enhances the efficiency of industrial applications. Cinematic usages of this drone require multiple takes for the same scene, so the RTK system and the upgraded battery allow for smoother on-set operations. A sample payload of the RTK kit, PX1 gimbal, and a Sony A7R IV and a 35mm F2.8 lens can fly for up to 20 minutes on one charge.
More details can be read on Sony Alpha’s website.
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