Local Startup Launches App to Pilot Drone from iPhone

Airnest, a State College-base drone software company, launched its first app in the iOS App Store Nov. 9. With the iPhone and iPad app, users can draw a flight path with just a finger, and the drone will safely follow that path on autopilot while capturing video or camera stills.

For those wanting a bit more control, the app also allows users to control the camera by simply panning and tilting an iOS device. As users move their iPads or iPhones, the drone mimics their movements while streaming the live feed back to them.

A video of the features is available on YouTube. The app is currently compatible with the DJI Phantom 3 Pro and Advanced models, as well as the DJI Inspire 1. In just three easy steps, users can plan a flight and launch into the air. Once airborne, the drone follows the flight path and captures high resolution photos or video on its memory card.

Ben Brautigam, co-founder of Airnest, said the local entrepreneurship community played a vital role in assisting the company to this stage.

“As a technology startup, one of our most valuable resources is learning from other startups. The opportunity to have space located in the heart of an entrepreneurial hub is extremely rare,” Brautigam said. “At Innovation Park, they encourage collaboration and partnerships by design. Each company’s needs are considered and at the same time a greater community is formed.”

While other autopilot software is available for drones, beta testers said Airnest’s app is the most intuitive and simplest on the market. “I spend less time handling an app and more time shooting videos. It’s smooth and on focus. You can do some really nice stunts like upwards spirals that are very time consuming when you program DJI GO or Lichi. In this app it takes literally seconds,” said one tester.

“No other app on the market works like ours. It’s specifically designed to make it as simple and quick as possible to get that perfect shot you’ve been looking for,” said Justin Miller, filmmaker and co-founder of Airnest.

Additionally, the app has added safety features such as displaying no-fly zones, such as airports, on the display. It also is programmed not to fly above 400 feet, as prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The company also will continually update its app to maintain safety and compliance as regulations evolve.

“Not only do we want our app to be easy to use, we also want it to be as safe as possible. Our goal is to always go one step beyond what’s required so our customers can have fun flying drones knowing they’re compliant with current laws and regulations,” said Sherwyn Saul, co-founder of Airnest.

For more information, visit www.airnest.com.