In a private exclusive meeting in a hotel suite the weekend before NAB 2014 officially starts, I get a hands-on look at a working prototype heavy-lift “drone” (UAV) that left me literally speechless. Not only is the design quite stunning and clean, but the technology is so advanced I didn't think we'd see anything like this for several years. I have seen the future folks… and it's absolutely beautiful!

Meet the Tayzu Drone

(actual product model name/number TBD)

So… here I was in Las Vegas the weekend before NAB 2014 Expo officially opens, working on prepping for my Aerial Videography workshops and I was personally invited to a hotel suite to see something “new”. I often get sneak peeks at upcoming products from manufacturers so this wasn't all that unusual… until I entered the room and gazed upon something sitting atop the table in the middle of the room. They allowed me to take only a couple iPhone photos for now, so I'm sharing them with you.

After seeing all the latest and grates monster copters out there with 6 and 8 arms and buzzing like giant spiders in the skies above, I was shocked at what I was seeing and thought it to be something not unlike the latest Chevy concept car at the Detroit Auto Show. Sure, it looks cool… like something you'd see in the Apple store in about 10 years – but will it actually fly?

The answer was “this one does”.  And it's modular in design – it can be torn-down to fit into one small TSA approved carry-on case, yet powerful enough to carry large payloads. The arms attach with a quick-disconnect locking system. I actually got to take one off and put it back on. I was so blown away. I had so many questions, as I was in disbelief in what I was seeing and hearing about this radical new design and advanced technology. Featuring six 14″ CF props and the modules can be easily snapped-together to add additional ams, battery capacity, gimbals/camera mounting options, etc…

For this model, it features a 4K optically clear camera dome on the bottom which will have a full 360-degree 3-axis gimbal sealed inside, designed for smaller POV cameras like GoPro and the like and will have over 50 minute flight time capability.

Oh – and it's totally waterproof. You can land on/take off from the water… so imagine shooting fish below the surface and taking off to see the rest of the surrounding environment from above – or get the ultimate surfing videos.

Other modules will be available for larger cameras like DSLRs, Canon C500, BMD 4K, etc. This will be a serious aerial filmmaking craft, no doubt!

Made from a special lightweight “space age material” (that can't be disclosed at the moment), retractable landing gear and the system boot-up will be displayed on the surface indicating that all systems/modules are functioning correctly. 

It will also have an optional LIVE HD Video Streaming capability and an optional Mesh Node operation.

They don't have a lot of details on the release date, MSRP, etc. but this IS NOT just a fantasy concept of what “might be” – this is an actual product that's already going into production this year!

You can receive updates by getting on their email list from their website: http://tayzu.com

Shut up and take my money!!

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Jeff Foster is a published author of several how-to books and training videos in the motion graphics, animation and video production industries and is an award-winning video producer and artist. Visit his web site to learn more about his training methods, tips & tricks at PixelPainter.com