A familiar name in airsoft that will soon be known for building what is now part of documenting airsoft events --- drones. GoPro, the world's leader in action camera, is said to be building a line of consumer drones aimed at surfers and other sports. They are not going to build just one drone, but a line of consumer drones designed to fit the budget of enthusiasts according to the Wall Street Journal.

With many companies, especially the world's biggest electronic brands, jumping into the action camera market, that market is turning to be a tight one for GoPro. Expanding into the consumer drone business is a logical move given that the company can leverage its expertise in action cameras and mating these to their upcoming line of drones would make a compelling proposition. Outdoor and sports videographers are resorting to drones as these are cheaper, controllable, and can go into tight aerial shots, as compared to chartering really expensive helicopters or airplanes to take aerial videos or photos.

Rather than buy the action camera and the drone separately, why not buy from just one supplier? It makes sense right? GoPro is awash in cash right now, given the infusion of money from its IPO. Rather than partnering with a drone maker, the company plans to use the money at its disposal to develop a unified brand of action cameras and drones. Apart from that, GoPro plans to be a media company, drawing from its experience supplying action cameras to media and movie companies. Having all the equipment at one place rather than depending on another supplier would also make it easier to support media projects logistically.

(Hexo+ is a drone that follows its owner with a mounted GoPro camera)

GoPro's action cameras are the most used in consumer drones, from already pre-built packages to those built by enthusiasts using their own camera cages to attach to their home-made drones. The other makers that will be threatened by GoPro's entry into the action camera + drone market will be DJI, which is already making a name for itself in the market, especially with the introduction with their nicely designed Inspire 1, and Parrot's Ar.Drone series.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, these drones are multi-rotor ones that are already equipped with high definition action cameras which we hope have well-developed stabilization systems that are much needed for providing smoother videos whilst on the move.

Pricing for the GoPro Drones, which will be released late next year, will be between the US$500 to US$1,000.00. Hopefully, it would be at a price range affordable for the serious enthusiasts.