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CES 2015 – The Drones

24th January 2015

The Consumer Electronics Show – Drones

 

For more than 30 years, I’ve started the New Year with a trip to the Consumer Electronics Show. CES is the premier showcase for new and innovative techie products that are in line to hit the store shelves.

This year I notice the proliferation of 3D printers and picture-taking drones at the show.

Earlier, I wrote a short article about 3D Printing Technology that I saw at CES.

There’s plenty of controversy surrounding the use drones for commercial purposes, manufacturers from around the world are gearing up for battle as they try to outdo each other on features, price, and speed to market. This article presents several of the picture-taking drones that I saw at the show.

Robotix Ghost+
This is the Ghost+ quadcopter.

Its payload is a GoPro camera mounted on a controllable gimbal and has a GPS receiver, gyroscopic controller for smooth flight, retractable landing skids and can stay airborne for 18 minutes.

The WiFi module lets you stream the video remotely to a smartphone and/or tablet.

The suggested price of the Ghost+ is $1300.
For more information about the Ghost+, please visit Thunder Tiger Group.

 

DJI Inspire 1

This is DJI’s newest model – Inspire 1. It has a bult-in gimbal-mounted 4K video camera that can be remotely positioned, real-time feed to the controller and automatic takeoff and landing.

while in the air, the landing pods fold into the “up” position for obstruction-free video recording
Price is $3400 with dual remotes – one for flight control and the other for camera control.

For more info, please visit DJI.

 

Proto-X FPV
The FPV quadcopter is equipped with a 1280 x 720p video camera.

Notice that the controller has a built-in video screen that displays the captured video in real time. It is gyro stabilized for steady movie.

The suggested price is $350.

For more info, please contact Hobbico 

Zano – the nano drone
Zano calls itself a “sophisticated nano drone”. It’s so small that it fits in the palm of your hand.

Your smartphone or tablet is the controller. Simply tilt your phone left, right, forward or backward and the Zano follows. Other onscreen icons control the altitude, rotation, capture, etc.

This is a prototype model and Zano tells me that production begins in July 2015. Price in UK Pounds £170.

For more information, please visit Zano.

 

As a former participant in the flight simulation industry, I’m in awe of the drone “landscape”.

As I watch these new models flying at CES, I am amazed at how quickly the technology surrounding drones has progressed. In addition to highly competitive prices, these devices are much easier to fly – many with auto takeoff and auto landing capability – and features such as gimbals, streaming and navigation are truly impressive.

Written by: Arnie Lee

 

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CES 2015 – 3D Printers

22nd January 2015

The Consumer Electronics Show – 3D Tech

As I mentioned previously, I started this New Year flying from the cold and snowy Midwest to a warm and sunny Las Vegas to attend the CES 2015 industry event as I have been doing for thirty-something years.

I’ve participated at CES on both sides of the aisle. For many years we exhibited our computer software products. For the past several years, I’ve been attending as an industry member. Now I have the opportunity to find out what new gadgets are coming down the tech turnpike.

All things 3D have been progressing at an amazing clip for the past three or four years. An entire section of South Hall was devoted to the 3D technology.

Here’s a few of the neat items that I found at this year’s expo.

Artec Eva 3D Scanner

The 3D scanner is mounted next to a rotating disk on which the subject is standing. The lights fully illuminate the subject.

A couple of minutes later, the completed 3D scan of the subject is displayed on the monitor for everyone to admire. The result is a full body digitized model.
As I was asking the Artec representative questions about how the scanner works, he picks up the scanner and proceeds to give me a “face-on” demonstration. As I stand in place, he walks completely around me, all the time pointing the hand-held device at my head.

About 90 seconds later, my face pops up on the monitor.

This scanner is a high-end model with a high end price – $19,800 to be exact. For more information, please visit The Artec Group.

Innovative Printers from 3D Systems
3D Systems “invented” 3D printing in 1989. Their large booth had several remarkable and innovative products.

 

perhaps “on demand” shoes are in the near future
a full size handbag, 3D produced

Modeling a lengthy 3D garment

One of the 3D chefs

deserts “baked” with 3D printer

making music – guitar and drums made with 3D printer
To find out more about their many different 3D printing devices, please visit 3D Systems.

 

Several New and Lower Priced 3D Printers

MakerBot Replcator Mini – a smaller version of their well-known Replicator printer. This unit sell for $1375.

This model was produced with the Makerbot.

For more info, please contact MakerBot

This is the Robo 3D. Maximum object size is 10″x9″x8″. Sells for $799.

Dave holding a model produced with the Robo. For more info, please visit Robo 3D.

New Matter Mod-t is scheduled for Q3 release with suggested price of $400. For more info, please visit New Matter.

For those who believe that 3D printers are for plastic products, here I spotted a few “wooden” 3D objects.

 
 

Yes, 3D printing technology is advancing rapidly and I look forward to faster, better and less expensive products in the near future.

Stay tuned for a few more reports on other gadgets that I found of interest at this year’s CES. They are coming soon.
 
 
Written by: Arnie Lee
 
 

 
 

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PhotoPlus Expo 2014

18th November 2014

When October comes around, I usually journey back to the stomping grounds of my youth, New York City.

I’m always anxious to attend the PhotoPlus Expo at Jacob Javits Center.

This year it was held from October 30th through November 1st.

More than 21,000 professional and enthusiasts flocked to Javits to see this year’s expo.

on floor seminar from Sony
on floor seminar from Canon

PhotoPlus combines photo education classes and a large exposition. There are about 80 classes and seminars covering diverse topics such as techniques for posing, lighting, composition, movie making, sound reproduction, marketing and business practices.

on floor seminar from Nikon

on floor seminar from Wescott

The large exposition had 225 exhibitors including 60 making their first appearance at PhotoPlus.

I thoroughly enjoy walking the aisles and talking to the vendors and learning what’s new in photographic equipment and accessories.

 
 
This is one of my favorite shows for learning about new photographic equipment and accessories. I’m now preparing a series of articles that highlight some of the new products from the show. You’ll see them shortly.
 
 
Written by: Arnie Lee
 
 
 

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