Antigravity A1 brings 360-degree filming to drones

The Antigravity A1 by Insta360 is a device that asks you to rethink what a drone can do even before you take off.

At the heart of the A1 is a complete shift in how aerial footage is captured. Instead of locking you into a single viewpoint, the drone records everything around it. Twin cameras with 1/1.28-inch sensors and ultrawide lenses gather two hemispheres. The system then stitches these into a seamless sphere that hides the drone and propellers from sight.

The camera can shoot 360-degree clips at up to 8K at 30 frames per second, with 5.2K and 4K options available for faster frame rates. The footage looks best in bright daylight. Some soft patches appear during fast manoeuvres, but the overall output is impressive and easy to edit. The desktop app gives you fine control, while the mobile app makes quick social clips simple.

Where things become more complicated is in the air. Antigravity has replaced the usual twin-stick controller with goggles and a motion-sensitive grip. According to Wired, the goggles themselves are excellent, with crisp dual micro LED screens and a comfortable fit.

However, the flight controls often feel slow and less intuitive, and the setup requires extra gear and a spotter nearby. The drone remains safe and steady thanks to its obstacle sensors, modest speed, and 24-minute battery life. Its sub-250-gram weight also keeps flying restrictions light.

The concept  is exciting, but the controls and hefty $1,600 starting price may discourage potential customers.