You Can Pilot This New Drone with Mind Control

Drones are a fun way to capture videos and photos, but flying them can be tricky. Even a well-tuned and stable drone takes some skill to pilot, and traditional RC-style controllers can be overwhelming. But, what if you didn’t need a controller at all? That’s the idea behind UDrone, which you can fly with mind control.

UDrone just launched on Kickstarter, and at first glance it looks like any other compact quadcopter. However, instead of flying it with a conventional controller, you pilot it with mind control through a special UMind Lite headset. The headset uses a combination of sensors to read broad changes in your brain waves, minute alterations in your facial muscles, and the movement of your head. Those readings are then used to direct the drone.

To tell the drone to take off, for example, you simply think about it moving up. To make it land, you clench your teeth together. To turn it, you tilt your head. It also has a built-in subject recognition artificial intelligence system that will allow it to follow you, or to snap a picture when you blink your eyes twice or throw up a peace sign. For long range flight, you can use the included app to pilot it more like a standard drone.

The drone itself fits in the palm of your hand, and only weighs 85 grams. It can fly for up to 25 minutes on a charge, and has a maximum range of 60 meters with the app. The onboard camera is capable of recording stabilized full HD video, and can take pictures up to 8MP. Through the app, you can even see real time video as you fly. The headset might look a little silly, but this drone is packing some serious technology.

The UDrone Kickstarter campaign is running until April 26th, and you can get a UDrone with the UMind Lite headset for $280, or just the drone for $149. Rewards are expected to be delivered in April.