Antigravity just halved the price of its drone — by swapping its headset for wristwatch control
Antigravity has introduced a $799 Follow Me kit for its A1 drone, cutting the entry price in half by replacing the original FPV headset and motion controller with a wristwatch and ring. The kit is designed to let the drone follow and film people automatically, making aerial filming easier for users who do not want to wear a headset.
In tests, the drone followed its operator on foot and by scooter, with watch controls for framing, quick shots and adjustments. The reviewer reported three crashes and several shortcomings, including difficulty avoiding thin obstacles, starting tracking and landing on a hand; the drone also sometimes drifted too far from its operator. The kit includes full propeller guards, while existing A1 owners can buy the watch and ring for $340 and the guards for $40, with a 20 per cent discount for verified owners.
- The A1 Follow Me kit costs $799, half the original entry price.
- A watch and ring replace the headset and motion controller.
- Testing found tracking and obstacle-avoidance problems.
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Antigravity makes the A1, a small camera drone designed to record video from the air. Many drones are flown using a handheld controller, while some use a headset that shows the camera view and lets the wearer steer by moving their head or hands.
A follow-me drone can track a person and film them as they move, which can help with activities such as walking or riding a scooter. It matters because the controls and safety features affect how easy the drone is to use, and how reliably it can follow someone around obstacles.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The $799 kit makes aerial filming more accessible by removing the need for a headset and motion controller, while automatic following and simple wrist controls may help people capture footage without piloting skills. For casual users, a lower entry price and included propeller guards could make the drone a more practical option, and the reported crashes and tracking problems are limitations that may improve with use or future updates.
The case against
Halving the price still leaves a costly device whose headline convenience depends on reliable tracking and obstacle avoidance; the reported crashes, difficulty starting tracking and occasional drift raise reasonable doubts about whether it is dependable enough to use as intended. Replacing the headset may broaden appeal, but users who need precise control or dependable filming may find that the watch and ring do not compensate for the removed equipment or the drone’s current shortcomings.