Is This the Future of Drones?

In a bold move that shakes up the drone market, Insta360 has launched its first drone—the Antigravity A1—under a spin-off brand. Why shouldn’t a company known for its innovative 360-degree action cameras dive into the drone realm? And let me tell you, the A1 is nothing short of revolutionary.

What’s Unique About the A1?

The Antigravity A1 isn't just your average quadcopter; it's a versatile 360-degree FPV drone designed for everyone from newbies to seasoned creators. This drone promises to enhance your videos with ease, and it comes as part of an exciting three-part set: the flying unit, a pair of OLED Vision goggles, and a specialized Grip motion controller.

Weighing in at just 249 grams (or 8.8 ounces), the A1 cleverly sidesteps many drone licensing regulations, making it accessible for recreational flyers. Its design features two ultrawide cameras—one on the top and one on the underside—allowing it to capture stunning 8K video. Thanks to advanced stitching algorithms honed over generations of 360 cameras, the A1 offers seamless visuals without letting the drone intrude on the shot. It’s like having an invisible selfie stick soaring high above!

Testing the A1: A Unique Experience Awaits!

I had the thrill of testing the A1 at a Mercedes-Benz racetrack in Germany, where speed and excitement were the name of the game. Unlike traditional FPV drones, the A1 lets you look anywhere you want while flying. You strap on the companion goggles and steer from a first-person perspective, but with a twist—it streams 360-degree video to your goggles.

This means you can look around while the drone keeps its course, making it extraordinarily intuitive for first-timers. As you maneuver, it feels more like a game—just aim and shoot in the direction you want to go, thanks to the innovative Freemotion control system!

Easy to Use: Perfect for Everyone!

The A1’s design combines traditional drone controls with a Wiimote-like experience. Adjust altitude, start and stop video recording with physical buttons while steering using a simple point-and-click mechanism. Your friends and family could be flying this drone with minimal instruction! Plus, the included external screen on the goggles allows spectators to join the action, making for a much more engaging experience.

Versatile Video Editing at Your Fingertips!

What’s truly exciting about the A1 is how it empowers you to create content. After testing, I received stunning footage that I could easily reframe, crop, and angle multiple ways—turning 10 seconds of video into spectacular, varied shots. Insta360 has a track record of excellent editing tools, and they plan to roll out the same for the A1, making the editing experience surprisingly enjoyable!

Cutting-Edge Features and Future Potential!

Among several innovative features is payload detection. If the A1 identifies it's carrying something above its weight limit, it won't fly—helping to tackle future licensing challenges head-on. Additionally, there are hints of upcoming accessories to enhance the A1 experience even further.

Join the Co-Creation Project!

Curious users have the opportunity to participate in a co-creation project, where they can test a pre-production A1 and provide valuable feedback for its final version. This communal effort might even yield rewards, with a shared prize pool of $20,000!

Is the Antigravity A1 Worth It?

My flight around the racetrack was an exhilarating venture, but as with any new gadget, pricing will be crucial in determining if the A1 can stand tall beside DJI’s popular drones. Keep your eyes peeled for this game-changer!