Lily drone is back, features 4K camera and improved features

Remember the Lily drone, announced in 2015 and never produced? Well, although they got into all sorts of trouble, they seem determined to rise after the crash. Mota Group, Inc. acquired assets of Lily Robotics this year. They are now introducing Lily Next-Gen, a drone that brings the fun spirit of the original Lily drone but with improved features. The biggest improvement, I’d say, is that the drone seems to be actually produced. But other than that, Mota Group, Inc. announces that the Lily Next-Gen will shoot 4K video, 13MP stills and 120 fps slo-mo at 720p.

As sUAS news writes, Mota Group President Michael Faro expressed the company’s passion for the Lily Robotics’ vision of a simple and fun selfie drone: “Strong pre-orders for Lily Next-Gen helped convince us to offer a stock incentive to carry the dream into the future.”

Since more than 60,000 people had backed the Lily drone, the company has developed The Lily Reward Program. This offers up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock for all the customers who preordered the original Lily Drone. As Mota Group, Inc. writer, there will be no other payment in addition to the product order. They also promise promotional discounts to the Lily Drone customers, which goes up to $400. Finally, the customers will have their names on the “Lily Friends” web page. If it means anything to you. Considering the Lily Robotics’ history, I guess they need many resources to gain back the trust of the old customers and attract the new ones. But there’s yet to see if they’ll deliver.

As for the Lily Next-Gen drone itself, it reportedly offers what Lily promised, and more than that. The Original Lily drone was supposed to shoot 1080p 60 fps video and 12MP photos. Lily Next-Gen will shoot 4K video and 13MP photos. Other improved features will be offered as well, such as One-touch takeoff and landing and Smart Hover. Take a look at the comparison chart of the two drones and the full specs of the Lily Next-Gen:

Camera

Video

• Video Resolution: 4K
• Intelligent Image Stabilization
• Live Video Transmission Range: Up to 400 ft.
• Fully Digital Gimbal
• Video Format: MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)

Still Photos

• Resolution: 13 MP
• Field of View: 190.6° 1.81 mm f/2.2
• ISO Range: 100~3200
• Auto Electronic Shutter
• Image Size: 2880 x 1620
• Photo Format: JPEG

App

• Included in Lily Next-Gen Android / iOS App
• Stream to Facebook Live
• Video Editing
• Create Custom Shots
• Adjust Camera Settings

Flight

• Geofencing
• Helps prevent flight into restricted areas.
• Smart Hover™
• Lily Next-Gen returns to last known position and autolands if GPS signal lost or battery critically low
• Satellite Positioning Systems: GPS/GLONASS Dual Mode
• Vertical Hover Accuracy:
• +/- .3 ft. indoors (Vision Positioning active) and +/- 1.6 ft. outdoors
• Horizontal Hover Accuracy:
• +/- 1 ft. indoors (Vision Positioning active) and +/- 8.2 ft. outdoors
• Wifi (Phone Operated)
• Max Speed: 25 mph (40 km/h)
• Min Altitude Above Head: 5ft (1.75m)
• Altitude Above Head: 50ft ( 15m )
• Min Distance from User: 5ft. (1.75m)
• Max Distance from User: 100ft. (30m)
• RC (Remote Control Operated)
• Max Speed: 25 mph (40 km/h)
• Min Altitude Above Head: 5ft (1.75m)
• Min Distance from User: 5ft. (1.75m)
• Max Distance: Radius 3300 ft. ( 0.65 miles , 1000 meters, 1 KM )

Battery and Power

• Includes Two Intelligent Flight Batteries
• Capacity: 1650 mAh
• Voltage: 11.4 V
• Battery Type: LiPo 3S
• Energy: 18.8 Wh
• Net Weight: 3.9 oz.
• Charging via Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 Hub
• Charging Temperature Range: 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C)
• Battery Charger Input
• DC 5-12 V; Current range 1.3 A
• Battery Charger Output
• 05 V; Current range 1.3 A; Power 16.9 W
• Up to 18 minutes of flight time

Size and weight

• Folded: L 8.74 inches x W 3.9 inches x H 2 inches
• Takeoff Weight: 14.6 oz.

After a lot of controversies over the failed production and delivery, Lily Robotics was shut down and even sued. However, it seems that Mota Group is determined to resurrect the Lily drone. If you are willing to give another chance to Lily, the Lily Next-Gen is ready for preorders at $600 and it will be shipping in November. Although I’d probably wait til November and see how this unfolds, and whether the delivery will start on time.

[via sUAS News]