A San Francisco-based startup drone company called UVify unveiled a tough-as-nails micro drone called OOri at CES 2018. It is currently considered as the world’s fastest smart racing drone. New pilots can benefit from its ability to hover, which is an unseen feature in other racing drones. OOri can be flown right out of the box thanks to its controller with a built-in screen, but seasoned pilots can pair it with an FPV headset for an immersive racing experience. With its ability to fly fast or stay locked in position, OOri was built simply for everyone.

Heading into CES 2018, we heard that this drone racing company had a couple new machines, one of which a mini machine. We admit we went into our meetings with Uvify not expecting much, but by the end, the new Uvify OOri emerged on top.

OOri is a mini quadcopter that doesn’t realize it’s a mini quadcopter. Stabilized flight and other tame flying features make the machine safe for beginning pilots. Fly it as a normal drone, or allow it to grow with you as you delve into the world of drone racing.

We’ve seen micro machines before that call themselves racers, we admit they are fun, but at 10-20 MPH, they hardly qualify in any real way. The Uvify OOri leaves them in the dust, able to take off like a rocket and exceed 50 MPH at the top.

Truth is, we had not intended to bestow a best of show award on any mini machine this year. The Uvify OOri carved its way into our books as we suspect it will carve its way into homes in a couple months when it starts shipping.

Putting our money where our mouth is, we’ve placed our pre-order already, stay tuned for more coverage of the Uvify OOri.

Source: DroneRush

UVify is trying to get more people into the world of drones. Their latest product, Oori — which is currently on display at CES 2018 — is thought to be the world’s fastest microdrone and is designed to be simple and fun to use.

Using a system of integrated sensors, Oori can effortlessly hold its position in the sky without the need for human intervention. Its compact design, which can easily fit in the palm of your hands, is the optimal size for racing or for those just trying their hand out at flying.

The San Francisco-based startup also has two other models of drones for more serious enthusiasts: Draco SD and Draco HD. The SD model is intended for professional racers who are looking to add a high-performance drone to their repertoire. It uses real-time video transmission to blaze through the sky and make quick maneuvers.

Draco HD is the more consumer-oriented variant of the drone. Instead of using analog transmission to navigate like the SD does, Draco HD outputs to HDMI, providing sharp, 720p resolution as you’re flying. All the UVify drones are compatible with any first-person view goggles. All they require is the capability to transmit analog video (for the SD) or HD video (for the HD).

The Oori is currently available for pre-order on the UVify website. As a part of a pre-order special, itcosts $289 to get your own miniature drone. After that period ends, they will regularly be priced at $389. The drones are expected to ship before April.

Source: Digital Trends

Engadget recently reviewed the UVify Draco on their website. Here is a brief snippet from the review:

I’m flying high above the San Francisco Bay, maybe 150 feet in the air. I look down and start gliding toward a dilapidated skate park. Once I’m near the ground, I pull my nose up and look level with the horizon. Spotting two trees, I race toward them, pass between them, then turn on a dime, skirting some shipping containers on my left. It’s like every dream I’ve ever had about flying, but faster.

It’s also not a dream. I take off a pair of video goggles, and I see the shipping containers come into focus, this time directly in front of me, as my eyes adjust to the sunlight. This is my third “first-person-view” flight with the Draco drone, and it’s more exciting every time.

To read the full article, head over to Engadget by clicking here.

Photo Credit: Engadget

The UVify Draco was mentioned in this brieft article on c|net. A snippet of the article can be found below.

UVify is showing off its new racing drone this week at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. The Draco modular drone is easy to repair, lightweight and lightning-fast. UVify claims it can reach a top speed of 100 miles per hour.

The drone features a protective carbon-fiber shell. If it does get damaged, the modular design allows you to quickly swap out the propellers and appendages. The Draco, which UVify is advertising as ready-to-fly out of the box, is also capable of performing 360-degree flips and other stunts, which can be captured on the built-in camera.

To read the full article, head on over to c|net by clicking here.

Digital Trends have written an article about the UVify Draco. A snippet can be found below.

our need for speed is about to be satisfied.

The Draco drone from Uvify will go 100 miles per hour, and yes, you can actually buy it. So when Uvify says that it’s looking to transform the way humans fly, this is what it’s talking about — a supercharged drone that will zoom through the air at alarming speeds.

With an employee base comprised of actual rocket scientists, Uvify is at the forefront of modern drone technology, and has made good on its promise to deliver “lightweight, lightning-fast drones that are easy to use, modify, and repair.” The Draco weighs in at just over a pound when it’s empty, and measures just 8.4 by 6.5 inches. But its diminutive size allows it to hit pretty impressive speeds. Powered by a Uvify Direct-Drive 3-Phase Brushless DC Motor, the Draco’s power tops out at 580 watts, and boasts a 26,000 max RPM.

To read the full article, head over to Digital Trends by clicking here.

Engadget have awarded UVify with the “Best drone” award at CES 2017. Below is a snippet from their article.

At CES this year we’ve seen a slew of drones, but UVify stood out for a number of reasons. Drone racing is becoming increasingly popular, but there are still many challenges for new pilots to get into the sport. UVivy’s Draco dissolves many of those, with a modular, easy-to-repair design, high-quality live video feeds from the camera and assisted flight modes for learning. All of this, without compromising on race performance. — James Trew, Deputy Managing Editor

To read about the full list of winners, head over to Engadget by clicking here.

UVify were featured in another Drone article at Engadget during the Drone Rodeo proceeding CES 2017. Below is a snippet from the article.

The star of this year’s show was undoubtedly UVify. I already got to meet with its team ahead of time, to try out its no-compromises racing drone called Draco. But there’s only so much you can do in the parking lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center. A dedicated aerodrome for drones (which is where the rodeo was held) is an entirely different matter.

I already talked about how the Draco was an exciting idea. A racing drone that can open the sport to a whole new audience is going to see many more pilots picking up the sticks. At the rodeo, I had the pleasure of “riding” along with UVify’s pro pilot, and it’s an incredible experience. By “riding,” I mean I was wearing a pair of video goggles with a live feed in real time from the drone’s camera. Imagine backflips, barrel-rolls and nose-dives, all at breakneck speed. It’s like being on an invisible rollercoaster, except you’re just… standing there.

To read the full article, head over to Engadget by clicking here.

The UVify Draco was featured on the Verge during CES coverage. A snippet of the article can be found below.

I traveled to the Aerodrome yesterday for the third annual CES Drone Rodeo. The venue is empty desert next to picturesque mountains, just beyond the restricted air space around Las Vegas. There was a lineup of DJI drones anyone could fly and an augmented reality game that let you dogfight with virtual lasers. But the main attraction was the race course and the new Draco drone from UVify.

In the past if you wanted a racing drone, you had to build it yourself. That meant learning how to solder and program. If your drone broke, as they are prone to do, you had to learn how to make repairs. Draco aims to change all that. It costs $499, and the company says that right out of the box, the Draco drone can hit 100 miles an hour on a straightaway. And it’s made from entirely modular parts, so if you crash, you can easily buy replacements for your broken bits.
“Like trying to walk a cheetah on a leash”

Drone racing has become increasingly popular over the last three years. ESPN struck a deal with the International Drone Racing Association to broadcast the sport on live TV. And the Drone Racing League raised $12 million in venture capital funding to build out its competition. Pilots are quitting their full time jobs and dropping out of college to pursue the dream of being a full-time drone racer.

To read the full article, head over to The Verge by clicking here.