Skip to main content

There is now a flying surveillance drone for … your home

When it comes to keeping an eye on your home, both while you’re there and while you’re away, there are a handful of options to choose from. You can go with hardwired surveillance cameras, Wi-Fi surveillance cameras, or some other similar options.

Soon though, you might be able to take an even more proactive approach. Meet Cardinal, the world’s first autonomous surveillance drone designed for home use. Developed by Cardinal Robotics, the Cardinal drone is an entirely new way of keeping tabs on your home via an eye in the sky.

Recommended Videos

Inside the the lightweight drone is a 14-megapixel camera capable of shooting full 1080p video. These images remain smooth thanks to its three-axis stabilization technology, and the device is nighttime compatible with a near infrared camera and onboard array of infrared LED lights.

Besides the base specs, not many details have been provided. According to the Cardinal website, the drone has a flight time of 20 minutes and is capable of completing an entire sweep of your home in just two minutes, but no battery information has been given to substantiate the claims.

Furthermore, other than a few renderings and a little copy, there’s not much to go from, which could be a little concerning for those looking to pre-order the device.

Besides the ambiguous details on the battery life and no mention of how the device will automatically recharge itself, another aspect that stands out is the lack of any details of weatherproofing. If you’re paying $4,000 to have a drone keep an eye on your home, it would only make sense it would be able to fly in light rain and know when to stay put in more dangerous weather.

For the time being, Cardinal Robotics is taking pre-orders for the device at $4,000. According to the pricing page, the drone will retail for $6,000 when it hits the market.

The concept looks promising, but we’d need more information before we could assess whether the device will be able to deliver on its promises.

[amz_nsa_keyword keyword=”surveillance drone”]
Gannon Burgett
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Quilt wants to change the way you heat and cool your home
Quilt TOTW

Mini-split air conditioners are often overlooked in favor of central air conditioning systems, as most homes are prebuilt with ducts -- making it easy to install an A/C unit and furnace to heat or cool all your rooms. Quilt is looking to change that, however, as the company (founded by former Google employees) has created a ductless HVAC system that looks great, works in all climates, and can be personalized to fit nearly every type of home.

Unlike central air conditioning systems, Quilt is a ductless mini-split system. That means you don't need a system of air ducts installed throughout your home to use Quilt. Instead, an outdoor unit is connected to up to two indoor Quilt units, which are wall-mounted and push either cool or warm air through the room. Quilt comes with a control unit known as a Dial, which functions much like a smart thermostat, allowing you to set temperatures for individual rooms and optimize performance.

Read more
Stay cool this summer with these smart home tips and tricks
Ikea's Fyrtur smart home blind

Warmer weather is finally arriving in most locations across the country, bringing with it pool parties, summer vacations, and plenty of outdoor fun. And if you're looking for a way to make your life easier this summer, now's a great time to upgrade your smart home. From adding a smart thermostat to your home to installing a smart sprinkler system, there are plenty of ways to build a smart home that's designed to handle the summer heat.

Ready to save money on your electric and water bills? Here's are ideas on how to upgrade your smart home this summer, as well as other tips to help around the home.
Upgrade to smart shades

Read more
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo vs. Dreame X40 Ultra: Which robot vacuum is best for your smart home?
The Ecovacs X2 Combo installed in a home.

The Dreame X40 Ultra and Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo are both well-rounded robot vacuums. They bring heaps of functionality to your home, including self-cleaning docks, robots that can both mop and clean in a single run, and luxurious designs that blend with most home décor. All that doesn't come cheap, and you'll be spending well over $1,000 to get your hands on either robot. That means you'll want to carefully weigh your options before making such a hefty investment.

From vacuuming and mopping performance to pricing and additional features, here's a look at the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo and Dreame X40 Ultra to help you decide which is best for your home.
Pricing and availability

Read more