Sony’s Aerosene drone shows of VTOL in new video

What Sony would do with its partnership with Japanese automation specialist, ZMP, was pondered over by many in the know when it was announced earlier this year, but now we all know. Aerosene, the joint venture formed by both firms, showed off its new VTOL commercial drone yesterday, as well as its ability to operate at range and at high speeds, before making a controlled and safe landing.

Although this drone is still considered part of the prototype phase, it can already travel at speeds up to 65 miles per hour and carry cargo that weighs up to 22lbs. This won't be something Aerosene sells to enthusiasts however, and is designed more with commercial applications in mind. [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btT3_SR7rE0′]

As it stands, the drone needs a human operator to achieve much of its flight manoeuvres, but in time Sony plans to automate take offs, landings and course following, allowing for companies that use this piece of kit, to program in specific functions that can then be carried out autonomously.

Aerosene hopes that with growing interest in drone technology, it can build a business that's worth over £50 million by the end of the decade, as per TechCrunch.

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KitGuru Says: This one looks almost militaristic. What kind of applications do you think could be had with high speed drones? With that carrying capacity, you can bet Amazon is interested.

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