Airvada’s Diodon is the world’s first inflatable drone

French company Airvada has launched Diodon, the world’s first inflatable drone. Yup, you read it right, inflatable drone. You use a compact electric pump to fill it with air, and it’s ready for a takeoff.

It sounds funny, but apparently, it’s quite powerful and has a few pretty good sides. So let’s check them out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2kynw3RcoE

One of the first and the most obvious advantages of this drone is portability. Before inflating it, it takes far less space than traditional drones. Then, it only takes 45 seconds to unfold and inflate it, so it’s ready to go pretty fast. About the same amount of time is necessary to deflate and fold it again. It’s also waterproof, so you can fly it in heavy rain, according to the manufacturers.

Diodon drone comes in three different versions. Here are the specs:

SP20

200 g

• Payload example : camera with HD video downlink system
• Folded : 200x200x100 mm
• Unfolded : 700x700x100 mm
• Endurance : up to 20min

MP40

400 g

• Payload example : compact camera with gimbal and HD video downlink system
• Folded : 300x300x150 mm
• Unfolded : 1200x1200x150 mm
• Endurance : up to 30min

HP150

1,500 g

• Payload example : DSLR / thermal camera with gimbal
• Folded : 400x400x200 mm
• Unfolded : 1500x1500x200 mm
• Endurance : up to 35min

Along with the drone, you get a control tablet, compact electric pump and a transport bag for the model you choose. There are definitely a few pretty good sides to this drone, no matter how funny it sounds. Still, I can’t help but wonder – what if it flies into something sharp? Will it tear?

The price of the drone is not yet announced, but you need to contact the company for the quote. I’m still not sure whether this is crazy or brilliant, but I sure find it very interesting. What about you? Would you give it a shot with this kind of drone?

[via sUAS News]