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A Comprehensive Guide on Follow Me Drones

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follow me drones

In this comprehensive article, we are going to discuss drones that follow you or: Follow me drones. As is our tradition, we always endeavor to ensure that all your queries regarding different kinds of drones are answered. We ourselves are huge drone aficionados and are well aware of your needs and preferences. Considering all these aspects, we always aim to provide you the best information in relation to drones.

In this article, we are going to share with you in-depth information about Follow Me drones. If you are hampered by budgetary constraints, then be rest assured that we won’t be solely focusing on expensive high end Follow Me drones only. As a matter of fact, this post will also include low-cost alternatives that come with the Follow Me mode of flight.

Table of Contents

Low Cost Follow Me Drones

Hubsan H501S

The Hubsan H501S has been placed at the fifth spot in this list of low cost follow me drones but that should not deceive you as it is one hell of a device. It is sleek and equipped with a full HD camera and GPS powered intelligent features. It is a phenomenal entry-level drone that boasts a similar design as other Hubsan models.

follow me drones
follow me drones

Despite being loaded with a full HD camera, the Hubsan H501S does not come with any kind of image stabilization in the shape of a gimbal but considering the price, the image quality is still quite fine. The drone offers a prolific flight time of 20 minutes along with a control range of 300 meters.

Along with GPS, the Hubsan H501S is equipped with tons of other intelligent features of which Follow Me is one. Moreover, this great drone is also integrated with Return to Home and Altitude Hold features both which can come in handy while capturing stunning aerial shots. All in all, I do not think that there are too many drones out there that come at such a competitive price and are yet loaded with so many exquisite features.

Setting up follow me on Hubsan H501S

The Follow Me mode will have to be triggered on to capture a hands-free recording of a certain target. The follow me mode in this aircraft is pretty basic but it will get the job done in an efficient manner. The Follow Me mode can be enabled by ensuring that the drone and the controller are locked to several GPS satellites and the compass has been calibrated. With both the tasks done, quick press the right stick and this amazing drone will start following you around.

3DR Solo

3D Robotics with their Solo drone has the fourth spot on our list. 3DR Solo is a follow me drone that comes with an interesting story. The price of this drone has plummeted ever since the manufacturers decided to get rid of it. The price difference was huge as initially it cost around $700 but now the price has dropped down to $300. However, you will get the drone without the 3-axis gimbal for less than $300. But we would advise you to spend that extra amount of money to get this gimbal for enhanced image stabilization.

follow me drones
Follow Me Drones

Let’s discuss the biggest and perhaps only drawback of this phenomenal drone: its GPS! It is compatible with GPS because without it, it won’t be able to have the Follow Me mode. But the GPS is flimsy and can cause the drone to drift away if connection has not been established with a number of satellites. In addition to Follow Me mode and GPS, the 3DR Solo is also loaded with Selfie, Orbit and Cable Cam modes.

This amazing drone can attain speeds in excess of 55mph which is pretty quick in comparison with other kids on the block. Furthermore, the 3DR Solo offers a flight time of 22 minutes along with a control range of 800 meters. In addition, it is powered by a couple of microprocessors which make it among the most intelligent drones out there. Again, I would urge you to get your hands on a dedicated gimbal for this little birdie. It is compatible with GoPro Hero 3 and 4 and integrates seamless controls and stabilization which will make your aerial imagery stunning.

Setting up Follow Me on 3DR

In order to activate the comprehensive Follow Me mode in 3DR, head over to the Smart Shots menu and select Follow. The aircraft retrieves the GPS location of the user’s smartphone which means that it follows anyone in hold of the smartphone. Since the drone is not integrated with any form of obstacle avoidance, so you need to be careful about the obstacles that may get in its way. So, a high altitude is always a great option to use the Follow Me mode on 3DR.

Yuneec Breeze

Yuneec Breeze can be a pretty cool choice for pilots who are in pursuit of a magical follow me drone that produces stunning selfies or you may call then dronies!

follow me drones
follow me drones

This is probably the most low cost follow me drone on our list that is extremely small in size and in 4K UHD despite its low price.

In addition to a spectacular camera, the Yuneec Breeze also offers an air time of 12 minutes thanks to its 3S 1150mAh LiPo battery. The battery is quite reliable and keeps the aircraft for a long time in the air. However, a limited range of 80 to 100 meters is one of the drawbacks of this otherwise amazing drone. Having said that, Yuneec Breeze is promoted as a selfie drone which probably vindicates its low range.

As far as the features are concerned, the Yuneec Breeze is equipped with tons of intelligent flight modes such as selfie, orbit, journey, follow me and many others. The smartphone app is pretty intuitive and clutter-free. On the whole, Yuneec Breeze is a decent selfie drone.

Setting up follow me mode in Yuneec Breeze

The Yuneec Breeze can follow you both as an object using its camera and via your smartphone’s GPS. Smart Follow Me mode is the most sophisticated intelligent follow me mode in this device which can be activated from a list of flight modes after ensuring that the GPS is locked to the satellites. Place the drone from where you want the tracking to begin and select the target object. The Smart Follow Me mode will ensure that Breeze follows the target no matter wherever it is going. That is not the case with other modes wherein the aircraft only rotates in x-axis without it actually moving in reference to the target object.

GI Follow

Follow Me Drones
Follow Me Drones

GeniusIdea Follow is a latest drone that has received some plaudits from the critics and consumers alike along with a few negative comments. The drone has received criticism due to its cluttered interface and absence of image stabilization in 4K UHD video recording. Other than these drawbacks, the GI Follow is a pretty decent drone that is available at a reasonable price and will definitely make a name for itself with the passage of time.

The first and foremost quality of this aircraft is that it consists of premium rubber materials which lend it the much needed durability. To be honest, GI Follow is one of the most crash-proof drones out there owing to its build quality and propellers. Rather than using traditional LiPo batteries, GI Follow employs a couple of 18650 batteries which pay a vital role in bringing the overall price of the package down significantly.

What’s more the drone is equipped with a 4K capable imaging sensor with software stabilization that lets you capture amazing aerial imagery. The air time ranges somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes and the control range is only 100 meters. But the range should not be much of an issue as the GI Follow is not intended to be a surveillance drone by any stretch of imagination.

Setting up follow me mode on GI Follow

You need to ensure that there is ample satellite coverage but you won’t be able to determine the number of satellites connected. A green light will flash once the GPS is locked and ready. Switch on the facial recognition feature from the main menu which is only compatible with 1080p or 720p videos and not the 4K UHD ones.

DJI Spark

Follow Me Drones
Follow Me Drones

DJI Spark has been receiving tons of positive reviews from consumers as well as critics ever since its release. It is a tremendous drone that boasts amazing performance to size ratio that is way ahead of that offered by rest of the pack.

This tiny little pocket drone is not foldable as the DJI Mavic Pro. It is still smaller in size than the Mavic Pro and offers a control range of 100 to 200 meter with the app controls which may be reduced in the presence of interference. However, with a dedicated controller, the range gets a boost between 300 and 500 meter which is incredible for such a compact drone. The aircraft offers a flight time of 15 minutes which is also quite impressive.

The DJI Spark is loaded with a small 2-axis gimbal and a full HD camera which ensure that you are able to capture scintillating aerial imagery. But that’s what you come to expect of DJI, isn’t it? DJI Spark is integrated with tons of smart features including facial recognition, palm control and palm launch which promise for an unparalleled flight experience.

Setting up Follow Me mode on DJI Spark

The DJI Spark can be launched from the palm of your hand by tapping twice on the power button after which the aircraft scans the pilot’s face. Select the ActiveTrack mode and trigger it on. Then you will simply be required to draw a box around yourself and the drone will begin to follow wherever you go.

Best Follow Me Drones

Now, we head towards the drones which are equipped with Follow Me mode but are quite expensive. Having said that, they promise to offer exquisite Follow Me experience.

Autel Robotics X-Star Premium

Autel Robotics have just a couple of Follow Me drones in their repertoire: X-Star and X-Star Premium. The Autel Robotics X-Star Premium is their flagship product that will be discussed in detail now. I will try to stay as honest as possible about this wonderful drone that has never ceased to amaze me with its splendid set of features. But are all these features able to justify the huge price tag associated with this drone? Come see for yourself!

Follow Me Drones
Follow Me Drones

The Autel Robotics X-Star Premium is a brilliant all-rounder that can be employed for plenty of commercial as well as hobbyist purposes. The sleek design with vibrant orange coating distinguishes it from its competitors. Another hallmark of this prolific drone is its massive range of 2Km (here is a list of long range drones you might be interested in) and an air time of 20 minutes.

The Autel Robotics X-Star Premium is loaded with an Ultra HD camera mounted on a quick release 3-axis gimbal stabilization system. So, you are bound to get smooth and clear images with this beast of a machine. The drone also offers FPV capabilities with HD resolution and low latency. Other features include GPS/GLONASS, Follow Me, Orbit and waypoints.

Setting up Follow Me on Autel Robotics X-Star Premium

Follow Me mode can be activated by selecting it from the interactive menu on the left side of the app’s window. But before that, ensure that the drone is hover mode for optimal stability and GPS satellite connection. Also keep in mind that the Autel Robotics X-Star Premium retains its configured elevation unless you manually alter it. To ensure the safety of your device, inspect the surroundings so that there are no trees, power lines or other hazards that may end up damaging your expensive Autel Robotics X-Star Premium. Also, you need to check out the battery levels particularly if the Follow Me mode has been selected in the Go Home option to prevent the aircraft from flying away.

DJI Mavic Pro

Follow Me Drones
Follow Me Drones

Ranked at the fifth spot is the mighty DJI Mavic Pro that has been ruling the roost for the past several years thanks to its foldable design and feature rich build. DJI Mavic Pro comes across as one of the all-time popular drones that offers stunning performance and incredible portability.

Despite all this praise, to be honest, there are other drones that offer better implementation of the Follow Me mode that we are interested in at the moment. This does not mean that the drone’s ActiveTrack mode is found lacking but the drones that we will be discussing later on are able to pull this off a bit better. As far as the control range goes, the DJI Mavic Pro boasts a range of a massive 7Km owing to the tech giant’s patented OcuSync technology. Flight time of 27 minutes is also quite amazing.

When it comes to the camera, the drone is integrated with a fabulous 4K UHD camera mounted on top of the smallest 3-axis gimbal stabilization system that you would ever come across. These two features pair together to furnish stunning aerial imagery. Equipped with obstacle avoidance, the DJI Mavic Pro promises to deliver an unparalleled flight experience to drone enthusiasts.

Setting up Follow Me mode on DJI Mavic Pro

The Follow Me mode or the ActiveTrack mode in case of DJI, it has to be selected from the DJI Go app. Then, you have to either select the target object or sketch a box around it and the aircraft is ready to go. The drone takes full control of its motion along with gimbal and captures smooth and jerk free video footage. Having said that, ensure that there are no dramatic changes in altitude in your trajectory which can be harmful for the drone itself.

Yuneec Typhoon H

Follow Me Drones
Follow Me Drones

Q500, Breeze and Typhoon H are few of the flagship models launched by Yuneec that have been able to capture the imagination of consumers all over the world. The Yuneec Typhoon H is available in a couple of different models: one with standard obstacle avoidance sensors and the other with sepecialized RealSense technology by Intel. The Intel RealSense technology is an intricate collision detection and avoidance system that ensures timely evasions from hazards. So, it is judicious to go for the Yuneec Typhoon H with Intel RealSense technology.

Another point to note here is that the Yuneec Typhoon H is a hexacopter loaded with 4K capable camera mounted on a 3-axis gimbal for image stabilization. In addition, this drone is also integrated with GPS, Best Follow Me drone and other intelligent modes of flight.

The 5 rotor failsafe safety feature needs a special mention here. This feature allows the aircraft to land safely even when one of its rotors is not functioning. The Yuneec Typhoon H offers a control range of 1500 meters with its ST16 transmitter while the 5400mAh 4S LiPo battery enables it to offer an air time of about 25 minutes.

Setting up Follow Me mode on Yuneec Typhoon H

Set the drone to Smart mode before triggering on the Follow Me and Watch Me modes. These features do not function in the angle or home modes so that you should be kept in mind. Once the drone has ample GPS satellite coverage, switch on either the Follow Me or Watch Me mode from the menus on the right side. After activation, the current smart flight mode is highlighted in orange and written in green in the top right of the ST16 transmitter’s display.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro

Follow Me Drones
Follow Me Drones

Released in the winter of 2016, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro has been DJI’s flagship model that has garnered massive traction among consumers. A prolific camera and astounding set of features make it an unrivalled leader in the market despite its high price tag.

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is integrated with a 1-inch 20MP sensor mounted on top of a phenomenal 3-axis gimbal stabilization for smooth aerial imagery. The Phantom series is primarily designed for people who are interested in capturing high quality still photographs and video footages from the air. As a matter of fact, it won’t be wrong to assert that Phantoms are essentially Inspires for engineered for rookies.

With a control range of 7Km and air time of 27 minutes, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro is right up there with the DJI Mavic Pro and DJI Inspire 2. These two parameters are basically determinants of the modern day drones and DJI are way ahead of their competitors when it comes to these factors.

Setting up Follow Me on DJI Phantom 4 Pro

It is really a simple affair to set up ActiveTrack feature in DJI Phantom 4 Pro. Ensure that you have installed the latest version of the DJI Go 4 App, the drone is about 2 meters above the ground and it is set to P mode. Now, trigger ActiveTrack on from the smart flight menu and select the object that you intend to follow. If the object is recognized by the app at once, press Go and the drone will begin to track the target. If your desired object has not been recognized, a box will have to be sketched around the object. Once the ActiveTrack has been enabled, the pilot gets access to Trace, Profile and Spotlight modes which further enhance the aerial imagery.

DJI Inspire 2

follow me drones
Follow Me Drones

DJI Inspire 2 is a drone that is tailor-made for professional cinematographers and photographers who are interested in aerial imagery. This heck of a machine is loaded with pretty much every feature that you would love to get your hands on as a videographer. Everything is wrapped in an intuitive user interface that makes things look remarkably simple. If you are interested in getting to know more stuff about DJI Inspire 2, continue reading.

DJI Inspire 2 has been engineered specifically for aerial cinematography and endeavors to push the limits of what can be achieved with drones in the realms of videography. This high-end drone is packed with HD video transmission, a splendid blend of camera and stabilization gimbal, and premium quality software. The package includes RAW images and 5.2K video recording pretty much due to the imaging solutions provided by Zenmuse. In addition to a formidable DJI Go 4 app, the DJI Inspire 2 is loaded with a dual way collision avoidance system and top quality sensor redundancy.

The design is almost the same as the original drone but the features have always been improving. The control range of 7Km is due to the tremendous OcuSync technology while the dual battery setup ensures a flight time of 27 minutes even with the inbuilt Zenmuse X4S. Having said that, the huge price associated with this impressive beast of a machine means that it is not a cup of tea that everyone would like to have. Nonetheless, this certainly is one of the best drones out there.

Setting up follow me mode on DJI Inspire 2

The configuration of the Follow Me mode in DJI Inspire 2 is not dissimilar to what you would do with other DJI products. Select the ActiveTrack feature and sketch a box over the target object. The aircraft will begin to follow the target autonomously. The ActiveTrack feature is greatly assisted by the obstacle avoidance feature. It ensures that the drone remains safe from harm while giving the pilot much needed peace of mind.

AirDog ADII – Best Follow Me Drone

follow me drones
Follow Me Drones

The result of a massively successful crowd funded Kickstarter campaign, the AirDog ADII, is a recently introduced machine which endeavors to emulate and then bolster the features of its predecessors. The drone is basically focused at the athletes who would love to get their hands on something nimble and quick to capture all their sporting action.

Firstly, the AirDog ADII is not equipped with an inbuilt camera. But it is integrated with a 3-axis stabilization gimbal which is compatible with GoPro Hero 5 and 6. We believe that these two cameras are just what you need to record all your sporting antics. This magnificent machine is impressively fast and amazingly stable.

The drone comes with an AirLeash which is essentially a waterproof controller that can be strapped to your wrist or arm so that you control the drone from a distance. As the AirDog ADII has been made specifically for fast-paced sports and outdoor activities, it comes as no surprise that is integrated with tons of preconfigured sports modes. We will discuss these modes in detail later on in the post. The drone offers a control range of 150 meters away from the AirLeash and boasts a flight time of 15 minutes. Do you really think that this is the best Follow Me drone available on the market?

Setting up follow me mode on AirDog ADII

As mentioned above, if you intend to purchase a drone for its Follow Me mode, then you should opt for the AirDog ADII. It is integrated with intricate technology that aims to furnish an unparalleled flight experience to the user. The Follow Me mode can be triggered on by selecting it from the navigation menu and choosing the target object. The entire process is a piece of cake if the connection with GPS satellites has been established and ready to go.

AirDog ADII and Surfing

With the help of AirDog ADII, recording surfing becomes plain simple. You get all the advantages of hands-free surfing recording owing to the delayed takeoff timer and sophisticated fly-in features. These functionalities let the pilot schedule the takeoff of the drone until you reach the desired location and save precious space on your memory card along with the drone’s battery. The whole process of setting this up is extremely simple and we will explain each step in detail down below. Now, let’s see how the drone reacts to this recording method.

Once the desired location has been reached by the target, the drone takes off and follows the fly-in set distance in order to locate the target. The high-end software ensures that the aircraft can identify its target from as far as 250 meters away. Once the target has been recognized, the drone starts recording all the action in 4K UHD resolution. All these features will come in really handy during surfing especially considering the fact that the range is no longer than 40 meters due to water interference.

Step by Step Guide for Recording Surfing with AirDog ADII

Trigger the AirLeash and drone on and choose the Surf Mode from the main menu on the controller Activate the fly-in feature from the Customize menu and determine if all other settings are exactly how you want them to be Move to Take-off time and set it according to your preference. The unit of measurement is minutes here Head onto fly-in distance and set it according to your preference in meters Place the drone on the beach with at least 5 meters of clearance in the surroundings Initialize takeoff, begin recording with GoPro and make your way to the desired location Once the takeoff time has run out, AirDog ADII will take off and begin recording all the action. Here are the recommended settings for the Surf mode:

  • Sport: Surf
  • Follow Mode: Adaptive
  • Camera angle: Front
  • Takeoff altitude: 9m
  • Follow distance: 15m
  • Landing: Home
  • Return Home Altitude: 30m
  • Enforce Home: On
  • Follow Instantly: Yes
  • Acceleration: 0.90
  • Reaction: 1.30
  • Fly-in feature: Yes
  • Takeoff time: Depends on your desired location
  • Fly-in distance: Depends on your desired location
Follow Me Drones
Follow Me Drones

AirDog ADII and Kiteboarding

AirDog ADII is a follow me drone that has been engineered especially to record action sport. Kiteboarding is an extremely popular water sport among the youth. How can we set AirDog ADII up to capture sensational kiteboarding aerial video footage? It is important to mention here that there is no official kiteboarding mode in the drone but you can employ Windsurfing mode and get what you are looking for.

Before we begin the recording process, it is essential that the drone is placed in an area void of people and also a friend is designated to pick it up once it arrives from the recording spree. Also, strap the AirLeash to your arm to ensure that it stays out of water for the most part. Finally, the Takeoff altitude should be configured to at least 40m to ensure that your drone is at a safe elevation from other kites in the area. The elevation can always be decreased if there are no kiters in the area other than you.

  • Step by step guide for recording kiteboarding with AirDog ADII
  • Trigger on AirLeash and AirDog ADII and choose Windsurf mode from the main menu
  • Begin recording with your GoPro action camera and initialize GoPro takeoff
  • Orient the drone on the upwind side and activate fixed following mode
  • Customize the elevation and distance if required
  • Adjust the settings in accordance with the below-mentioned recommendations for optimum performance
  • Start kiteboarding; the drone will worry for itself and will return home once the battery runs out of juice

Let’s have a look at the recommended settings for AirDog ADII:

  • Sport: Windsurf
  • Follow Me: Fixed
  • Takeoff Altitude: 14m
  • Follow distance: 20m
  • Landing: Home
  • Return home altitude: 35m
  • Enforce home: On
  • Follow Instantly: Yes
  • Follow terrain: Off
  • Acceleration: 1
  • Reaction: 1.15

Simrex X20 Follow Me Drone:

Simrex X20 is the cheap follow-me drone especially recommended for those who have a very low budget and can not afford highly paid-to-follow-me drones. Simrex X20 has a two-axis gimbal and GPS or transmitter under $250 which is an amazing characteristic of this drone. Some main highlights about thi drone are brushless motors, foldable unique design. Effective flight function and available at a very reasonable price. There is one drawback of thi drone like its GPS doesn’t work like vision recognition.

JJRC X5 Epik Follow Me Drone:

JJRC X5 is another follow-me drone available in the market. You can buy this within $250 having a good camera that can move upward and downward and GPS mode. Its build-in quality is amazing and available in brushless motors.

Mavic 3 Follow Me Drone:

This is the newest addition of foldable follow-me drones. Its camera can handle 4/3rds Hasselblad sensor and is a great choice for filmmakers and professional video makers because of its adjustable aperture. You get upgraded battery life that is 46 minutes, a 7x Zoom camera, and enjoy its Omni-directional sensors.

Skydio 2 Follow Me Drone:

This drone is designed for sports activities and is an upgraded version of Skydio 1. In this new version, you can avail yourself so many characteristics and advanced specifications that can remove problems and avoid obstacles. The most important feature of this drone is an Nvidia Jetson which is an onboard computer that helps in the calculation of tons of data. There are six cameras in Skydio 2 follow me drone that help in the overall movement

There are so many flying modes of this drone such as hover, angle track, orbit, cable cam, and drone with various options like Skydio beacon, smartphone, and remote control system to make Skydio 2 drone agile.

It is not a foldable follow-me drone and not a wide range capacity. It has light weighted and is best for sports tracking.

Holy Stone HS100 Follow Me Drone:

Holy Stone HS100 follow me drone is budget-friendly and has advanced features drone, particularly for entry-level. You find an amazing view of a 120-degree lens and it can capture 2k HD videos and just one touch tracking skill. It takes around six hours to recharge the battery.

Police Drones Nowadays:

There are many types of drones having a vast range of applications used in multiple industries especially law enforcement agencies are also using drones in operations. Mainly there are two main categories of police drones.

Best Follow Me Tactile Drones:

These tactical drones have amazing sensors and useful tools for helping in critical conditions and provide crucial information in working in many operations. The main kinds of Tactile drones are:

  • Anduril Ghost 4 SUAS drone
  • Lemur drone

Best Follow Me Surveillance Drones:

Surveillance drones are very commonly used in the law enforcement sector and actively perform different tasks in a particular area. Thermal imagination, searching, and hostile confrontation are the main important tasks that surveillance drones perform. Some kinds of Surveillance drones are:

Different Drone Follow Me Modes

We have already discussed above that the AirDog ADII comes with tons of auto-follow modes. Now, it is time that we discuss all these modes in detail.

Fixed Follow

In this mode, the drone follows the target with fixed distance, angle, and elevation. So, this mode of flight essentially allows the pilot to orient the drone in line with his or her own preference and it will begin to follow them wherever they go without rotating on its x-axis. This implies that the drone will focus on the target without altering its orientation. Fixed Follow is a mode of flight that is tailor-made for wide-open spaces without any hindrances.

Hover and Aim

Tagged as the stock flight mode of AirDog ADII, the hover and aim mode of flight is the mode in which the drone goes after each pause or after the initial takeoff. It is primarily designed for closed spaces and in situations when the target object is faster than the drone itself but is positioned in a smaller area. The drone is a fixed position and elevation but tends to pan with the hover and aim mode triggered while adjusting the camera to focus the target at all times. This mode of flight is appropriate for surfing, skateboarding, and other such sports.

Follow Line

The AirDog ADII follows the target in a preset line when the Follow Line mode of flight has been activated. A line path has to be selected before the activation of this mode. Once chosen, the drone is made to takeoff while the pilot can modify the drone’s elevation in the air if some close-ups are required.

Adaptive Follow

The adaptive follow mode is great for versatile panoramic video footage. It lets the drone move relative to the motion. But you will have to configure a certain angle that is to be followed by the drone before taking off. If the direction is altered in this mode, the drone will adapt to the scenario and make smooth transition around the target.
Here is a short video that shows the adaptive follow mode in action.

Circle around

When this mode has been triggered, the drone encircles the target. By default, the drone encircles in a clockwise direction at a steady speed. The speed can be altered from the AirLeash with the left/right button while pressing the opposite direction button several times modifies the clockwise rotation to counterclockwise rotation. Remember that you should not be moving faster than 25kph if you want the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Follow Me flight mode mean?

To be honest, I believe that this mode of flight is quite simple to understand. As is evident from the name, when the Follow Me mode is triggered in a drone, it follows the pilot or any intended object around. So, you can always ask your drone to follow other people or objects as well as yourselves. Based on the variant that you will end up purchasing, you may also get a few added features such as configuring your desired elevation, speed and other parameters.

Moreover, there are drone models out there that have other features in relation to the Follow Me mode. These are, typically, different variations of the basic feature that integrate present configurations from the feature itself. Here are a few of these features so that you know exactly what I am talking about:

  1. TapFly: The desired location is configured by tapping on the screen and the drone follows the selected route.
  2. Terrain Follow: The terrain in the surroundings is deciphered by the recognition software and the drone maintains the altitude by following the terrain both uphill and downhill.
  3. Trace: The aircraft follows the target object while flying around it and focusing it.
  4. Spotlight: The aircraft encircles the target while flying either in front of it or at its back.
  5. Profile: The drone flies directly alongside its target object.

How does the drone Follow Me function work?

Drones that follow you bank on a sophisticated technology that transforms the aircraft into an intelligent gadget and makes it serve as your own camera crew. Until the DJI leading drones such as the Mavic Pro, Inspire 2 and Phantom 4, only one kind of Follow Me technology was being used which was powered by GSC and GPS transmitter systems which function simultaneously enabling the drone to follow the control while focusing the camera on the intended target.

DJI’s Active Track is another technology that is employed by the manufacturer’s latest aircrafts. It banks on facial and object recognition software and identifies your exact location while ensuring that the drone follows you in a seamless manner.

GPS / GSC Technology

This technology is dependent upon the connection between the drone and its designated GPS enabled device. More often than not, this device is either the Ground Station Controller (GSC) or a phone. Ideally, at the time of activation of the Follow Me mode, the drone follows the GSC or the phone wherever it goes, ensuring that the camera remains focused on the target. This technology offers a wide array of following styles such as hovering, encircling, following in a straight line and much more. These features tend to vary from one drone to another.

Are the latest follow me drones waterproof?

The latest drones introduced by the tech giant DJI include an exquisite recognition software known as ActiveTrack. It enables an aircraft to recognize certain people or objects and follow them around while the camera focuses on them all the time. A sequence of algorithms and a test flight around that target are responsible for this so that the software can get to know the shape and external appearance from all sides of the target. ActiveTrack does not rely either on GPS or any other technologies and is currently integrated only in the latest drones manufactured by DJI.

These follow me drones are not waterproof but that certainly does not imply that they cannot sustain a bit of drizzle. Remember that flying in rain may be safe but if something goes wrong, the warranty gets void.

Another thing that I should mention here is that if you are looking out for a waterproof or water-resistant solution, then it is judicious to try out the AirDog ADII. The drone not being waterproof itself notwithstanding, the controller (AirLeash) is. This means that you can indulge yourself in any kind of action sport such as surfing, snowboarding or kiteboarding while maneuvering the drone without being anxious about any damage caused by moisture.

What is the fastest Follow Me drone?

The AirDog ADII should be your go-to choice if you are looking for a drone with great speed. It is a Follow Me drone that has been engineered specifically for fast paced action sports. It attains speeds in excess of 45mph (70kph). Similarly, if you are a seasoned cinematographer who wants to get hands on a speedy aerial platform, then DJI Inspire 2 could be worth a shot with its optimum speed of 58mph.

What is the average flight time of these Follow Me drones?

This basically depends on the type of drone that you are going to purchase. There are selfie drones with Follow Me mode, high end aircrafts that can be used as aerial platforms and then there are low cost options as well. In this context, it becomes exceptionally difficult to determine an average flight time of these devices. That is why I have categorized it as follows:

  • Mini Follow Me drones: 12 minutes
  • Commercial Follow Me drones: 25 minutes

Are there any low cost Follow Me drones?

There is a common misconception among people that intelligent Follow Me drones are worth a fortune. There is another school of thought out there that considers any drone worth below $500 as a toy drone. So, if you have been anywhere closer to the drone world, then you would know this for a fact that these people are utterly wrong.
Therefore, there are several low cost Follow Me drones and we will be discussing them in this post as we go along.

Do Follow Me drones include obstacle avoidance?

Yes, these drones are equipped with obstacle avoidance. Well, most of them are! A collision avoidance technology has to be a part of your drone’s system if it is to avoid obstacles while following you. However, this technology is typically found in high end drones which are a bit expensive. For instance, DJI Mavic Pro includes a fine quality Follow Me mode which is called ActiveTrack. In addition, it is also loaded with a pretty sophisticated obstacle avoidance system. Blend all this together with customizable flying settings and you will get to know why Mavic Pro is one of the best drones out there.

Can these drones follow me while I am driving my car?

Here is a great news for all those who would love to get themselves filmed while driving their cars: Follow Me drones can accomplish this task! Remember, however, that these drones won’t be able to follow you at extremely fast speeds. These drones will only be able to follow you in a car at a cruising speed. A number of manufacturers mention the optimum speed that their drone can follow in the product specification part.

Can these drones follow me in inclement weather?

These drones can certainly sustain normal winds but not the gusty windy conditions or hurricanes for that matter. Presumably the smoothness and general quality of a drone’s flight route may not suit the drifting caused by winds but the drone will still follow you nonetheless.
Of course, we are discussing normal-sized drones and not miniature drones such as the DJI Spark or Yuneec Breeze. While they may still be able to sustain windy conditions but as the gusts increase, their defiance will begin to shatter.

Can these drones land on a boat automatically?

The answer to this question is No for now! Most of the drones, if not all, are not able to land automatically on moving objects such as a boat. Having said that, if you try this out at your own peril and end up getting your drone submerged in water, then you will be running the risk of getting the warranty invalid.

Is Follow Me mode made for action sports?

A short and crisp answer to this question is a big emphatic YES! Follow Me mode is great for action sports and outdoor activities. You can even come across specialized drones that are equipped with smart features such as Follow Me mode and employ them in imaginative ways that are not part of traditional drones.

AirDog ADII is a great example in this regard which comes with an AirLeash that is used as a dedicated controller. This amazing device can be configured to follow around and the AirLeash is waterproof and comes without any wires. So, you can concentrate on your sport rather than worrying about the drone or its gear.

Most of the modern-day drones are loaded with intelligent features that can handle fast-paced outdoor activities. So, if you are an athlete and love to have your action sports captured with an aerial platform, then a drone with Follow Me mode is the best way to go with.

What are the best ways to spot police drones or alien drones at night?

For recognizing police drones you have to focus on these important points.

  • Extremely loud buzzing sounds
  • UAVs lights that you can experience at night
  • You can use radar detectors to analyze drone signals
  • Drone detection applications you use on your smartphone to spot police drone
  • Acoustic Sensors are used to detect police drones
  • Usage of motion detection camera