SELFLY is a Flying Phone Case Drone Camera
SELFLY is an autonomous flying camera which doubles as a phone case. SELFLY is a new concept that allows anyone to take hands-free photos on the go. Using high-end stabilisation technology, the company has successfully developed SELFLY, an autonomous flying camera device, which is actually a 9mm (3/8in) phone case. The best thing about it is that it flies all by itself.
8 Megapixel Camera
The SELFLY is simply an 8-megapixel camera that works as an extension of your phone’s camera. And extension, meaning it flies. SELFLY is designed primarily for aerial self-portraits, it’s a small folding quadcopter that tucks into the back of a specially designed phone case.
Controlled Using your Phone
SELFLY is controlled with your phone via Wi-Fi. The copter captures high-res photos and full HD video at 30fps. It then sends them to your device for sharing. It isn’t the first tiny camera quad packed into a phone case, but its clever folding design and its low price make it very attractive.
Folding Mechanism
It is built from scratch to perform as an invisible tripod. SELFLY will hover automatically in the air and wait for control orders sent by the app. SELFLY’s patent pending folding mechanism enables it to fold into a 9 mm thin phone case with a chic design. This makes it the ultimate high-tech camera system. It fits comfortably in your pocket so it can be with you at all times.
Specific Cases for Different Phones
The case and drone of SELFLY together are expected to weigh 70 gm and measure 9 mm thick, which isn’t very slim. But it is still compact enough to put in a pocket. The company will have specific cases for the iPhone 6 & 6 Plus, iPhone 7, 7 Plus, Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge, Galaxy 7 & 7 Edge and Nexus 6. There will also be a universal folio phone case for all 4-to-6 inch phones.
Battery Life
The Selfly is piloted with the help of your phone. According to founder and CEO Dr Hagay Klein, the app will have onscreen control sticks as well as automatic piloting options to get specific shots. The plan is to make it an open source platform so that others can develop for it. The battery life is a scant 5 minutes and the battery is built in, so no swapping to keep flying, you’ll have to stop and charge it via Micro-USB.
SELFLY is Loud
It is remarkably loud. If you’re alone on the edge of a cliff there won’t be much of an issue, but using this indoors or outdoors with a group of people will certainly be annoying. The same goes for when you’re at a tourist location. You are bound to get a few glares from your fellow tourists.
Shipping this June
SELFLY is a fully funded Kickstarter project now and promises to ship this June. At the moment, an early bird pledge of $89 can get you the flying camera and a phone case. Once those are sold out. Buying a before March 10 will set you back $99 until the end of the campaign. After the Kickstarter ends, the Selfly will retail for $139. The Selfly is available for preorder today on Kickstarter.
Keval Padia is the founder & CEO of Nimblechapps, a fast-growing mobile app development company. The current innovation and updates of the field lures him to express his views and thoughts on certain topics.