With technological miniaturization, most drones today are increasingly compact, whether for various uses. There are a multitude of mini drones or nano drones on the market for children, aerial photography and video, or more professional uses such as surveillance and espionage.
Mini drone for leisure: CX-10
Easily accessible for purchase, the CX-10 mini drone is designed for indoor flights geared towards children. This tiny drone measures only 4cm x 4cm and barely reaches 2cm in height. It has a maximum autonomy of 10 minutes for a range of approximately 20 meters. It can be controlled via a small remote control and weighs only 20 grams. It is ideal for having fun with a machine that fits easily in the palm of your hand.
Nano spy drone: Black Hornet 3
The Black Hornet 3 is a micro-drone resembling a helicopter, designed and produced by the companies Prox Dynamics and then FLIR Systems. It is intended for armed forces around the world, government agencies, and first responders. Equipped with aerial and ground sensors, this nano drone is both discreet and efficient. The machine weighs only 33 grams for 168 millimeters long. It has a gigantic autonomy of 25 minutes, a significant range of 2 kilometers, and a top speed of 21 km / h. Of course, the Black Hornet 3 is equipped with precise image processing with the FLIR Lepton micro-camera heart.
The smallest drone: Piccolissimo
Developed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, the Piccolissimo is the smallest drone in the world, measuring 28 millimeters in diameter and weighing less than 2.5 grams. It is the first autonomous drone of this size with a lithium polymer battery that is no larger than a two-euro coin. With its tiny dimensions, it moves through the air thanks to a propeller launched by an eccentric rotor, rotating clockwise at a speed of 800 revolutions per minute. To operate, this Nano drone carries a mini battery in a small plastic capsule, printed in three dimensions, and it also integrates a device equipped with sensors that allow it to locate itself in space.
Mini drone for aerial video
Regarding aerial photography, drones are also getting smaller and smaller. The reasons are simple: mini-drones are more easily transportable and regulations are more lax for lightweight models. If we refer to the TOP 10 of the best drones, the DJI Mini 2 wins the prize for the smallest and most efficient drone. Indeed, this drone weighs 249 grams for a size of 138 x 81 x 58 mm once its arms are folded. It has a stabilized camera capable of filming in 4K with a battery life of 30 minutes and a range of 10 km. Which makes the DJI Mini 2 the most efficient mini drone.
