Insta360's Antigravity A1: Redefining Drone Flying with FPV & 360 Cam

Insta360, a company renowned for its innovative cameras, is poised to enter the drone market with its first offering, the Antigravity A1. Slated for release in January 2026 under a new, dedicated drone company, the A1 aims to fundamentally redefine the user experience by prioritizing exploration and immersive capture over traditional piloting. Unlike conventional camera drones, the Antigravity A1 will consistently ship bundled with goggles, placing pilots directly into a virtual cockpit.

While the Antigravity A1 bears a physical resemblance to popular models like the DJI Mini, featuring similar folding arms and a sub-250-gram weight, its operational philosophy sets it apart. The drone integrates a 360-degree camera, allowing users to simply turn their heads to survey their surroundings while in flight. This eliminates the need to meticulously aim the drone or its camera, freeing the pilot to focus purely on navigating. Crucially, the A1 records 8K footage in every direction simultaneously, enabling comprehensive video direction, including virtual zooms, pans, and spins, long after the flight has concluded. For instance, a flight might initially appear to have captured only a few birds, but post-flight review of the omnidirectional footage could reveal an entire flock previously unseen.

Despite its innovative approach, the Antigravity A1, like all drones and 360-degree cameras, comes with inherent limitations. While quieter than some, its propellers still generate noticeable noise, making it less suitable for quiet environments or intimate events. Furthermore, although it records at 8K resolution and targets image quality comparable to the acclaimed Insta360 X5, the expansive canvas of 360-degree footage means that pixels are spread widely. This can result in a significant loss of image quality when zooming in on distant subjects. The camera’s performance is also limited to 30 frames per second at 8K, or 5.7K at 60 frames per second, which may not provide the truly immersive experience desired for high-fidelity virtual reality applications. For optimal results, pilots are advised to fly closer to their subjects, though not so close that the subtle stitching lines between the drone’s top and bottom cameras become apparent, which can artificially distort objects perfectly level with the drone.

The Antigravity A1 offers a distinctly different piloting experience compared to established FPV (First Person View) drones such as the DJI Avata. While the Avata impressed with its motion-sensing joystick for intuitive flight, the Antigravity A1’s bundled goggles offer a significantly wider field of view, approximately 90 degrees diagonally. Its “Grip” controller simplifies flight to a point-and-shoot mechanism; users can direct the drone by merely pointing their hand, with a picture-in-picture view to aid navigation and collision avoidance. A traditional twin-stick controller and propeller guards are also in development for those who prefer them. However, the A1 is not designed for thrill-seekers; a prototype demonstrated slow and steady flight characteristics, akin to a traditional camera drone, and its front-facing obstacle sensors were notably aggressive, preventing easy navigation through tight spaces. Early testing also indicated potential for visual artifacting and a wireless signal that, while adequate, did not match DJI’s high standards for range and visual transmission in the headset.

Beyond its technical specifications, the Antigravity A1 features some intriguing design elements, such as automatic folding landing gear and an external screen on the goggles that displays the pilot’s view. The company has yet to release full specifications, including speed, range, or battery life, or official pricing. However, a spokesperson indicated that the complete package, including goggles and controller, might cost less than a DJI Mavic, potentially around $1,300. The launch comes at a sensitive time for Chinese drone manufacturers in the US market, with DJI facing an effective ban. To address these concerns, Insta360 states that Antigravity is being established as a separate entity with its own dedicated team and US-based servers. The company is also developing features aimed at proactively demonstrating its commitment to non-threatening use, including a “payload detection” feature designed to prevent the drone from being weaponized, forcing it to land if weighted down. While this demonstration might not entirely alleviate government surveillance concerns given the 360-degree camera’s wide coverage, the Antigravity A1 undoubtedly represents a novel and potentially more accessible approach to aerial photography and videography, one that is likely to influence future drone designs from competitors.