Insta360's Antigravity A1 Drone: A 360-Degree Aerial Experience
Insta360, a company renowned for pioneering 360-degree cameras as a compelling alternative to traditional action cameras, is now entering the drone market through its new subbrand, Antigravity. Their debut product, the A1 drone, distinguishes itself by integrating twin fisheye lenses, capturing a full 360-degree aerial perspective rather than the conventional fixed-frame video. This innovative approach aims to redefine the drone piloting experience, offering users an immersive sensation akin to floating within a transparent sphere, observing all surroundings simultaneously.
A prototype of the Antigravity A1 was recently tested at a high-speed go-kart track outside Los Angeles. The A1 system is best understood as a synergy of three distinct components: a 360-degree camera, an augmented reality headset, and a unique, arcade-style light gun controller. The camera technology itself is closely aligned with Insta360’s existing X5 model. The drone, comparable in size and weight (249g or 0.54 pounds) to DJI’s Air 3S, features four propellers and automatic fold-out landing gear. Its design is particularly clever, rendering the drone itself “invisible” to both of its integrated lenses, ensuring that the quadcopter does not appear in the recorded footage, save for its shadow.
The control system of the A1 marks a significant departure from standard drone operation. Piloting is conducted via a headset, reminiscent of DJI’s Goggles 3, which incorporates a circular external screen on the left lens, allowing onlookers to share the pilot’s view. Inside the headset, the pilot experiences a full 360-degree panorama, overlaid with essential flight data such as speed, altitude, and battery life. Crucially, the 360-degree recording means the pilot is not constrained to looking in the direction of flight; the device captures the entire environment. A small picture-in-picture display offers a directional cue if the pilot’s gaze deviates from the drone’s current trajectory, a useful feature, especially in “Sport” mode where automatic obstacle detection is disabled.
The A1’s controller is a one-handed grip featuring a trigger for speed and several face buttons. Within the headset, a reticle indicates the controller’s aim, guiding the drone’s direction. While intuitive in concept – point and fly – this setup can lead to unconventional piloting stances, such as holding the controller over the shoulder to fly backward while looking forward. This hands-on experience revealed both the potential and the current limitations of the A1. While the combination of VR goggles and drones is not entirely new, seen in FPV systems like the DJI Avata 2, the A1 promises similar versatility without demanding the perilous maneuvers often required for dynamic FPV shots.
During testing, the A1 demonstrated areas still requiring refinement. Earlier flights, particularly in misty conditions, revealed challenges with streaming quality, which could be further exacerbated by multiple drones operating in close proximity, leading to pixelated video. While the A1 can record at up to 8K resolution, footage captured at 5.2K was not always sufficiently detailed for high-definition YouTube output without significant post-processing. The unique camera sensor shape also introduces a warped effect in raw 360 footage, necessitating careful editing in Insta360 Studio software to achieve a crisp, professional look, though the software itself is still under development.
The A1’s intuitive “point-and-fly” control scheme simplifies basic drone operation compared to traditional dual-stick controllers. However, the lack of visible buttons within the headset means pilots must rely on tactile memory, which can lead to misclicks, particularly when attempting to switch flight modes like “Sport.” Even in “Sport” mode, the A1’s speed and turning capabilities are not yet on par with high-end FPV drones. The drone occasionally exhibited a brief halt during turns, especially at higher speeds, indicating that Antigravity is still optimizing its flight dynamics and controls. While the company initially suggested the possibility of a more traditional controller post-launch, they have since clarified that these plans remain uncertain, meaning users should anticipate the immersive control scheme as the primary interface.
The Antigravity A1 allows for unique cinematic possibilities, enabling maneuvers and camera angles that are challenging for conventional drones, even FPV models. Novice users can, for instance, set keyframes to achieve complex shots like an upside-down camera view while flying forward. The Insta360 Studio software facilitates creative effects such as the “tiny planet” perspective common with fisheye lenses. While editing 360-degree aerial footage can be engaging, achieving professional quality often requires significant post-processing to mitigate the inherent warping and establish a sense of natural movement.
The Antigravity A1, set to launch in January next year, will be sold as a complete package including the drone, controller, and headset, with pricing yet to be announced. Its novelty suggests it will not be inexpensive. While Insta360 aims for broad appeal, the unique control scheme might deter traditionalists, and the early performance kinks could disappoint experienced users. Nonetheless, the A1 stands out as a unique offering in the drone market, potentially prompting competitors like DJI to explore similar 360-camera drone integrations. Antigravity also plans a “co-creation project” to gather user feedback, inviting drone enthusiasts to contribute to the A1’s refinement.