Parrot has unveiled its latest drone, the Bebop 2, a second-generation quadcopter that features 25 minutes of flight time – more than doubling the 12-minute flight time of the original Bebop drone.
The Bebop 2, which will be available Dec. 14 for $549.99, weighs just more than 1 lb. and is slightly heavier (thanks to the new battery) and slightly longer than the original, but Parrot says this will give the Bebop 2 more stability.
The Bebop 2 is also much faster than its predecessor hitting 37 MPH compared to the 24 MPH of the first Bebop.
The Bebop 2 is controlled via the FreeFlight 3 app on your iOS or Android device, streaming images live right on your screen. The Bebop 2 drone holds 8GB of recorded content and has an extended Wi-Fi range up to 6,561 feet via the new Black Edition Parrot Skycontroller (sold separately for $200).
Like its predecessor, the Bebop 2 can use GPS to cruise in predetermined routes or return home with the press of an on-screen button. The camera also remains the same in the Bebop 2: a 14-megapixel, 1080p fish-eye camera that shoots with a 180-degree field of view.
The Bebop 2 drone uses seven sensors for data collection, including a vertical stabilization camera that takes an image of the ground every 16 milliseconds, an ultrasound sensor that analyzes flight altitude up to 16 feet, and a pressure sensor that measures air pressure and analyzes altitude beyond 5 feet. Image stabilization is done via software image processing.
Parrot’s Bebop 2 drone has a maximum speed of 37 MPH, up from the 24 MPH of its predecessor.
