Hover X1 "ultimate portable aerial camera" zooms over crowdfunding goal line within first 24 hours

ZeroZero touts its Hover X1 drone as a potentially "cinematic" alternative to action-cams, selfie sticks and smartphones, as it can take their camera-centric use-cases to the sky in a "hands-free" way. This new answer to Snapchat's Pixy also purports to "make flying fun again" with flight-paths that results in some of the most popular shot types (such as 'orbit', 'zoom out' or 'bird's-eye') known to lifestyle or sports vlogs everywhere.

Unlike the Pixy, however, ZeroZero has designed a 125 gram (g) form-factor that allows the X1 to fold and unfold its "enclosed" propeller blade cages around its central core, which integrates a battery rated for ~20 flights per charge as well as its 12MP, 2.7K/30fps (or FHD/60fps or HDR) camera.

The X1 is also rated for electronic image stabilization (EIS) and "Level 4" wind-resistance. It also comes with "advanced VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry)" and a ToF sensor rather than GPS. This, according to ZeroZero, ensures it can keep flying indoors and makes it less likely to "lose" its owner. 

The X1 launched via Indiegogo today (May 25, 2023) with a funding target of US$5,000 - although it has already flown far beyond that goal with a total of just over US$40,000 at present. It is starts at US$299 and is currently projected to ship to backers in June 2023.

Alternatively, the DJI Mini 2 SE is available on Amazon