Snapchat unveils a $230 self-flying drone called Pixy

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

Snap is now in the drone business. The company unveiled a $230 pocket-sized drone that follows you around. The device is called Pixy, and it can take pictures and videos that are automatically uploaded to Snapchat.

Announced during the Snap Partner Summit keynote, Pixy looks like it was created for ease of use. There’s no controller, no SD card for additional storage – just a dial to choose between the four preconfigured flight paths.

Different flight paths include float, orbit around you, follow you as you walk or run, and Pixy zooms into the air and starts recording. The resulting video is at a 2.7k resolution, or you can get 12-megapixel photos. To stop recording, you put your hand under Pixy and it will land.

READ MORE: Snapchat Plus adds BFFs and Story stats for $3.99 a month

READ MORE: Snapchat is reportedly adding a paid tier for early-access features

Snap says Pixy can capture five to eight flights on each charge from the 3.3Wh, 860mAh removable battery. In terms of flight time, that equals out to about three minutes. The whole drone, including the battery, only weighs 101g.

Pixy transfers its footage wirelessly to the Snapchat app via Snapchat Memories. You can then view, edit, and share the videos, using the same editing tools for Snapchat.

READ MORE: Snap launched a desktop version of its mobile app

Pixy is available for sale now, starting from $229.99 for the drone, a carrying case, one rechargeable battery, and a USB-C charging cable. Snap expects orders to ship within 11-12 weeks from the day you order.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

READ MORE: A new Snapchat update lets other users see your precise location

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to send YouTube links as stickers in Snapchat
• Think someone is blocking you on Snapchat? Here’s how to check
• Snap’s new Story Studio is a vertical video editing app for iOS
• Snapchat is cracking down on drug dealers with its latest update

Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.