HOVERAir Versa Combines Pocket Camera and Drone Into One Device, Goes From Hand to Sky in Seconds

HOVERAir just revealed Versa, a camera that lives in two worlds at once. Hold it and you get a compact, three-axis stabilized shooter small enough for a pocket. Snap on a set of protected wings and the same module lifts off, follows you, and films from the air without a controller or any flying skill.

In the hand, it functions similarly to handheld gimbal cameras that content creators are already accustomed with. You have a built-in screen to preview and check your shots right there on the spot. The 3-axis gimbal keeps motion smooth whether you’re walking, sprinting, or simply turning, and it’s really useful. Their papers indicate that the image processor is well-tuned for recording strong dynamic range, which should result in clean colors in bright city streets, deep shadows, and even decent low-light performance after the sun begins to set. For the time being, the exact sensor size and resolution remain unknown.

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The real magic happens when you transform it. You can quickly and easily attach the camera module to a flyable frame in one motion. The propellers are carefully stored in protective cages, as they have been with previous models. Once attached, the device transforms into a completely autonomous camera capable of taking off from your palm and flying away on its own. On-board systems take over, including an AI tracking engine that keeps your subject right in the middle of the frame. You get a variety of automated cinematic moves, like follow, orbit, zoom out, bird’s eye view, and many more that fans of their past cameras will recognize and enjoy.

There is no need for a remote or even a practice session because the system will just pick up the person in front of it and follow the chosen course on autopilot. When it’s finished, it gently flies back into your waiting hand. The module can then be removed and used as a standard handheld camera with no difficulty. However, one notable mode goes above and beyond. In 3D Worlds, the camera whizzes around the environment in a precise 360-degree circuit, taking a series of stills and stitching them together into a 3D model that you can flip around on your phone or computer to share. HOVERAir explains that because this technology relies on image stitching rather than fancy laser scanning, it is now best suited to interior or small outdoor locations.

AI even joins in on the fun when it comes to composition, as the system scans the environment, offers a better location for the camera, and then applies an intelligent crop after the shot is locked in. The goal is to get professional-level framing without the hassle. HOVERAir spent years honing the concept of a self-flying camera, beginning with the original Hover Camera, progressing to the X1 series, which included palm launches and auto-tracking, and the waterproof Aqua for aquatic activities. Versa just takes that and folds the handheld and airborne responsibilities into a single gadget. Earlier models stayed under the 250g mark, avoiding all those bothersome registration regulations in many countries; whether Versa will be able to follow suit will be determined once the exact specs are released.

Price and availability are currently unknown. The company is still gathering interest on its website and promises to provide more technical information soon. Until then, it’s clear to see what’s in store: a single little camera that you can hold in your hand for everyday videos or leave on the ground and film from the air as needed.