- Chinese drone maker targets surfing and paddleboarding market
- Device can take off from water surface and follow users hands-free
Hangzhou-based Zero Zero Robotics (零零科技) on May 28 launched what it called the world’s first fully waterproof flying camera, expanding its push into AI-powered consumer imaging devices for outdoor sports users.
The new product, HOVERAir AQUA, debuted at the BEYOND Expo 2026 technology conference in Macao and is designed for water-based activities including surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Prices start at 8,999 yuan ($1,324).
The Hangzhou-based company said the device addresses three common problems in water sports photography: lack of camera assistance, water damage risks and difficult drone controls.
Water-tolerant
AQUA carries an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating. The sealed body floats naturally on water and can take off and land directly from the surface, allowing it to operate in wet and rough conditions.
“AQUA represents the natural evolution of our product line,” founder and chief executive Wang Mengqiu said. “It opens up a new way to capture life on the water.”
The device weighs 249 grams, keeping it below regulatory thresholds that require drone pilot certification in many markets.
It includes centimeter-level RTK positioning, Level 7 wind resistance and a top flight speed of 40 kilometers per hour, allowing stable tracking even in windy or choppy conditions.
The camera system uses a 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor capable of recording 4K video at 100 frames per second and shooting 12-megapixel still images.
AI-enabled stability
The lens includes hydrophobic and anti-fog coatings, while the company’s SmoothCapture stabilization system is designed to improve image clarity during motion.
The drone also integrates more than 15 AI-powered shooting modes tailored for different water sports. Users can operate the device without a remote controller as onboard algorithms automatically handle tracking and framing.
Battery life ranges from 20 to 23 minutes per charge. The device comes with 128 gigabytes of onboard storage and a 1.6-inch AMOLED touchscreen for playback and mode switching.
Zero Zero offers two configurations: a standard package priced at 8,999 yuan and an expanded bundle at 9,999 yuan.
Proven track record
The launch builds on the company’s earlier flying camera products, including the HOVERAir X1 introduced in late 2022.
That palm-sized device weighed just 125 grams and became a breakout product after marketing itself as a personal AI cameraman.
Founded in 2014, the company later released the HOVERAir X1 PRO and PRO MAX models. Wang said sales more than doubled annually from 2023 through 2025, with overseas markets accounting for about 80% of revenue last year.
