Antigravity’s 360-degree drone is here to help you forget DJI
The launch of the Antigravity A1 drone marks a significant moment in the U.S. drone market, especially as DJI faces an imminent import ban that has left its products scarce on American shelves. Priced at $1,599, the Antigravity A1 is now available at Best Buy, offering consumers a viable alternative to DJI’s offerings. This drone, developed by Insta360, is not just another quadcopter; it combines a unique flying experience with a 360-degree camera and specialized goggles that enhance the user’s ability to capture immersive footage. The A1’s design allows users to control the drone intuitively by simply turning their heads, making it accessible even for those who may not have prior piloting experience.
The Antigravity A1 stands out due to its innovative features, particularly the integration of a 360-degree camera that captures video in all directions simultaneously. This means that users can film dynamic content and edit their footage later, adjusting the perspective as desired. During early demonstrations, the A1 was noted for its lightweight, compact design, resembling the DJI Mini in handling and portability, yet it offers a distinctive flying experience that prioritizes ease of use over traditional piloting skills. While it is priced similarly to higher-end DJI models, the A1’s unique capabilities, including its immersive goggles and user-friendly controls, set it apart in a crowded market. With the potential for DJI to release its own 360-degree drone, the upcoming competition could further drive innovation and choice for consumers in the drone space.
In summary, the Antigravity A1 is not just another drone; it represents a shift towards more user-friendly, immersive technology in aerial photography and videography. As it hits the shelves just as DJI’s availability dwindles, it positions itself as an attractive option for both newcomers and seasoned drone enthusiasts looking for a fresh perspective on aerial imaging. As the drone landscape evolves rapidly, the A1’s unique approach to flying and filming may set a new standard for future products in this exciting domain.
The Antigravity A1.
With DJI facing
an imminent import ban in the US
and its flagship drones
disappearing from shelves
, the new Antigravity A1 didn’t need to be a groundbreaking gadget to make headlines. It just needed to be a competent alternative that you can actually buy in the United States. In August, the Chinese brand
couldn’t promise that for sure
.
But today, it’s happening:
the Antigravity A1 is now on sale at Best Buy
here in the US, on shelves and shipping this very week. It seems Best Buy jumped the gun ahead of
a full reveal tomorrow, December 4th
— there’s one for sale at my local store right now!
And thankfully, it’s not just a DJI alternative: this $1,599 drone and headset combo is like nothing I’ve tried before.
@verge
I tried Antigravity, the first drone from Insta360. It’s a flying 360-degree camera with these wild goggles that have a screen on the front, point-to-fly controls, and the ability to film in every direction and piece together dynamic videos afterward! The company says it’s coming to the US for as little as $1,300 or as much as $1,700 if Trump’s tariffs allow and claims it’s standing up a whole Antigravity company to make it happen.
#todayimtoyingwith
#drone
#dronefootage
#dronetok
#tech
♬ original sound – The Verge
As I explained in August
and as you can see in my embedded video, this 8K drone isn’t about “piloting a drone” or “shooting aerial footage.” It’s designed to keep you from having to think about flying or filming at all.
The 360-degree camera and motion-sensing goggles let you simply turn your head to look in any direction. Inside, you’ll see a line you can move with your arm and point where you want to go. Pull a trigger, and the drone flies there, while your head stays free to take in the sights from above. And because you’re recording video in every direction simultaneously, you can rotate and zoom your recorded video when you’re done.
At $1,599
—
$1,899 if
you want three batteries, a multi-charger, and a carrying case,
or $1,999
for three “high-capacity” batteries according to the Best Buy listing — this drone is more expensive than drones with cameras that’ll produce higher-quality traditional rectangular footage.
In my early demo, the Antigravity A1 weighs, flies, and folds like a DJI Mini, not the higher-grade Mavic or Air, even though it’s priced closer to where those higher-end drones were priced when they were broadly available in the US.
But none of those prosumer DJI drones came with a 360-degree camera system and bundled goggles that make easy flying and filming the priority. (Antigravity’s goggles are more impressive, too.) But that could happen with DJI’s own 360-degree drone, the Avata 360, which
just got FCC clearance last week
. Maybe it’ll make it to the US before the door closes on future DJI gadgets.
The Avata 360 might be a different beast than the Antigravity A1, though. While the A1 is a beginner-friendly Mini-style drone that gently flies around, and is light enough that it shouldn’t need registration, DJI’s Avata line has been heavier cinewhoop-style FPV drones designed for
swooping and soaring at high speed
.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Tech & AI news.
