New | Xiaomi on track to enter drone market this year
Smartphone maker Xiaomi has filed dozens of intellectual patents on drone technology, fueling speculation that it could be about to diversity into remote-controlled recreational vehicles
High-flying Chinese technology start-up Xiaomi has made at least two dozen patent filings last year and formed a company in Guangzhou to prepare for its widely speculated entry into the consumer drone market this year.
A source in Xiaomi who asked for anonymity because the company has not publicised the plan said the company will released its drone in 2016.
Xiaomi, which has become one of China’s largest suppliers of smartphones, would be the most high-profile domestic competitor in recreational drones to Shenzhen-based DJI, the world’s largest supplier of consumer drone products.
According to patent claim documents from the State Intellectual Property Office, the 24 patents filed by Xiaomi cover a wide range of drone technology including structure design, power unit, shock absorber, remote control and image transmission. One patent document detailed a drone device that can be controlled by gesture and can automatically follow the user.
Guangzhou Feimi Electronic Technology applied for most of the patents either independently or together with Xiaomi Technology. Government records showed Guangzhou Feimi is founded by an investment arm of Xiaomi, Tianjin Jinxing Investment in 2014.
