With most countries in some form of Covid-19 lockdown, drone operators are struggling to be able to get out to fly, so DroningON took their Mavic Mini to a beautiful hotel in Sweden, and with permission flew it inside, producing some wonderful footage!

So simple and so great, nice idea, thanks. The big mini ...

This is pretty cool

and he intentionally forgot to mention he taped the sensors...otherwise half of the shots are impossible

Footage is great... but beware of trying this at home: no cage and very big risks of potential crash when the VPS picks an underlying surface and automatically increases the height, which is designed to do.

Not a word about that's what left me dismayed most of all.

Interesting take.

very cool! I liked the low angles especially, very creative.

sbonev Posted at 5-20 15:00
and he intentionally forgot to mention he taped the sensors...otherwise half of the shots are impossible

I agree, the MM will normally move up when flying through the display cabinet. Also, why not just advice ppl to use the prop cage indoors? Video quality won't be much different but it is much safer.

..........

The Mavic Mini is definitely in flight, most of the shots couldn't be achieved otherwise, passing through the hole in the restaurant for example.

Prop guards are absolutely a recommendation for a beginner or even intermediate operator flying indoors, but with the areas of the hotel closed and permission granted from staff and the guests in the area, they weren't necessary, especially as I've been flying RC for over 28 years.

The IR sensors underside we're taped over to prevent the drone from bouncing as it approaches the floor, these shots couldn't be achieved without doing that.

As for the comment about "ground effect", you'll only get that if you aren't moving quickly.

Hope that this helps!

Bloodied_Mini Posted at 5-20 18:38
I agree, the MM will normally move up when flying through the display cabinet. Also, why not just advice ppl to use the prop cage indoors? Video quality won't be much different but it is much safer.

With prop guards fitted, it wouldn't have fit through any of the gaps through which it flew.

It is a great footage no matter what. Especially the shots between the roof lamps are awesome.
I have seen the trick with the tapped sensors but I am too inexperience to try something like that
I have flown the Mini in my small flat and it flies great when the rooms are well lit. When room is darkish it is gone mad lol.

sergeant Posted at 5-20 22:34
With prop guards fitted, it would t have fit through any of the gaps through which it flew.

Thanks for clarifying. Nice videos but would be good to let us know how you did it in full.

Darn no prop guards?

Bloodied_Mini Posted at 5-20 23:46
Thanks for clarifying. Nice videos but would be good to let us know how you did it in full.

The underside IR sensors were taped, allowing it to pass over surfaces without jolting. As for the pull-back shots, the first where it passes through the shelves was flown backwards towards me, I was hiding in the kitchen area where the drone ends at the close of the shot.

To align such a shot means finding an appropriate altitude first whereby you get the shot that you desire and the clearance through the shelf without ascending/descending and ruining the flow. I did a few test runs slowly forwards and backwards to ensure that it was achievable and then did it at full pace.

I have been flying RC for 28 years, helicopters, planes, gliders, wings, FPV and 'drones', the hotel was closed in the areas flown and only staff were present and keeping watch.

Prop guards would have meant reducing the ability to pass through most of these obstacles, in addition you only need prop guards if you're inexperienced or do not have sufficient control of the environment in which you're flying, hence why they were not fitted.

I hope that you all enjoyed it, as much as I did shooting it!

Bit of a 'behind the scenes' here from the DroningON LIVE channel -

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sergeant Posted at 5-20 22:33
The Mavic Mini is definitely in flight, most of the shots couldn't be achieved otherwise, passing through the hole in the restaurant for example.

Prop guards are absolutely a recommendation for a beginner or even intermediate operator flying indoors, but with the areas of the hotel closed and permission granted from staff and the guests in the area, they weren't necessary, especially as I've been flying RC for over 28 years.

I was going to say with the sensors underneath it was amazing the drone didn't lift itself but you taped them. Some cool footage... I like seeing people do something different with their drones.

Sadly a lot empty spaces (hotels, restaurants, theatres...) to fly these days!

Great video, i can imagine was a lot fun, and for sure the hotel is happy to have some nice footage for the next commercial clip.
Really nice video!
Thanks for sharing

Amazing video! Very well done, Thanks for sharing!

Nice video!

Tried flying inside the first time I unboxed the Mini. The optical Sensor didn't recognize my floor somehow, crashed it instantly into my chair.

Thanks guys!! Yes it was great fun, and really pleased with the result.

Mizzu Posted at 5-22 21:25
Tried flying inside the first time I unboxed the Mini. The optical Sensor didn't recognize my floor somehow, crashed it instantly into my chair.

Thanks for the comment, yes flying indoors requires completely different skills to flying out, you have to be actively 'piloting' rather than passively as you do when flying outdoors, due to so much autonomy being in play. At any time indoors the drone can lose it's position hold (Downward Optical Flow) and so you have to be always 'flying' the drone.

I noticed you kept the flight line mostly in straight lines , giving you more time to spend on controlling the height of the drone. Well done so we learn from others.

Droneflier Posted at 5-23 09:43
I noticed you kept the flight line mostly in straight lines , giving you more time to spend on controlling the height of the drone. Well done so we learn from others.

Yes you might think that a straight line is simple, but actually I am constantly moving very minimally left and right to adjust position, especially as I pass between the large ceiling balls, just so slightly so as not to be obvious to the eye.