FREEFLY
Freefly Systems is a Woodinville, Washington company, cofounded in 2011 by Tabb Firchau, David Bloomfield, Hugh Bell and Megan Fogel, that makes camera stabilisers and drones for film and industry. Its first products were the CineStar multirotor camera platforms, and in 2013 it released the Mōvi M10 handheld stabiliser, which won industry awards. The company later built the Alta line of heavy-lift drones, launched in 2015, and the Alta X and Astro, which are used for commercial and government work. Applications include filming movies and sports, power line inspection, mapping and surveying, firefighting, forest seeding, medical deliveries and avalanche control. Freefly has about 70 employees. Its catalogue lists the Alta X and Astro drones.
💡Notable Achievement: Freefly's Mōvi M10 handheld stabiliser launched in April 2013 and won industry awards.
What Does FREEFLY Do?
Freefly Systems of Woodinville, Washington, makes camera stabilisers and drones, from the Mōvi gimbals to the Alta X and Astro drones used in film, inspection and government work.
“Cinema stabilisers that grew into heavy-lift drones.”
Cinema Roots
Began with the CineStar camera platform in 2011.
Mōvi Gimbals
Handheld stabilisers from 2013.
Alta Drones
Alta launched in 2015, followed by Alta X and Astro.
What Can FREEFLY Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Aerial camera and payload platforms.
Cinema Drones
Heavy-lift platforms for professional cameras.
Commercial and Government
Drones for mapping, inspection and other missions.
FREEFLY Robots
Showing 2 of 2 total models
Astro
By: FREEFLY
Launched: 2022
The Freefly Astro is a compact, US-made industrial quadcopter drone designed for professional surveying, mapping, inspection, and data collection tasks. Featuring a foldable carbon-fiber frame, it offers rapid deployment from case to flight in under two minutes. Powered by four high-efficiency 7010 motors with 21-inch folding propellers, it delivers up to 43 minutes of flight time without payload and supports 3 kg maximum payload for heavy sensors like LiDAR, thermal cameras, and multispectral systems. Integrated RTK GNSS provides centimeter-level positioning, while LTE connectivity enables real-time cloud data streaming. Running AuterionOS, it supports autonomous missions via Auterion Mission Control, with vibration-isolated quick-release payload mounts for tools-free sensor swaps. Weather-sealed to IP43, it handles demanding environments with redundant smart batteries, precise flight controls, and open APIs for custom integrations, making it ideal for enterprise operations requiring reliability and efficiency.
Alta X
By: FREEFLY
Launched: 2019
The Alta X by FREEFLY is a professional-grade heavy-lift quadcopter drone designed for demanding aerial cinematography, industrial inspections, and mapping applications. Featuring a unique folding design that reduces size by half for easy transport, it supports payloads up to 35 lbs with a maximum takeoff weight of 77 lbs. Powered by four high-efficiency X9 motors and 33-inch folding carbon fiber propellers, it achieves top speeds over 60 mph and flight times up to 50 minutes unloaded or 15-20 minutes with heavy payloads. ActiveBlade technology minimizes vibrations to one-fifth normal levels, ensuring stable footage. It integrates a custom PX4 flight controller with GPS/Glonass/Beidou/Galileo GNSS for precise manual, position, mission, and return-to-home modes. Boom-mounted orientation lights and FPV capability enhance situational awareness, while modular mounting options accommodate cinema cameras like ARRI Alexa or RED systems. Built for reliability, it operates from -20°C to 50°C with IP43-equivalent protection.
FREEFLY Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Freefly Systems cofounded
Tabb Firchau, David Bloomfield, Hugh Bell and Megan Fogel cofound Freefly, whose first product is the CineStar multirotor camera platform.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Mōvi M10 stabiliser released
Freefly releases the Mōvi M10, a handheld electronic camera stabiliser that wins industry awards.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Alta released
Freefly releases the Alta, a ready-to-fly hexacopter with top and bottom camera mounting.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
FREEFLY Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes FREEFLY Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Strong reputation among film professionals.
- ✓US-based manufacturer for government customers.
Core Strategic Focus
Commercial and government drones.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Small company against DJI's scale.
- •Niche cinema market.
FREEFLY vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- Freefly Alta X
- Heavy-lift cinema drone
- Freefly Astro
- Commercial and government drone
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- Enterprise drone
- Skydio X2D
- Enterprise drone
Primary Use
- Freefly Alta X
- High-end aerial cinematography
- Freefly Astro
- Surveying, mapping
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- Surveying, inspection
- Skydio X2D
- Defense reconnaissance
Weight
- Freefly Alta X
- 10.86 kg (empty)
- Freefly Astro
- 3.095 kg (Typical standard empty weight); 6.665 kg (Max Takeoff Weight)
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- 6.47 kg (with 2x TB65 batteries)
- Skydio X2D
- 1.3 kg (2.87 lbs)
Release Year
- Freefly Alta X
- 2019
- Freefly Astro
- 2022
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- 2023
- Skydio X2D
- 2023
| Strategic Dimension | Freefly Alta X | Freefly Astro | DJI Matrice 350 RTK | Skydio X2D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | Heavy-lift cinema drone | Commercial and government drone | Enterprise drone | Enterprise drone |
| Primary Use | High-end aerial cinematography | Surveying, mapping | Surveying, inspection | Defense reconnaissance |
| Weight | 10.86 kg (empty) | 3.095 kg (Typical standard empty weight); 6.665 kg (Max Takeoff Weight) | 6.47 kg (with 2x TB65 batteries) | 1.3 kg (2.87 lbs) |
| Release Year | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
FREEFLY Headquarters
HQWoodinville, Washington, United States
Articles & Industry News
Showing 2 recent articles and news updates about FREEFLY
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about FREEFLY
What is Freefly Systems?
Freefly Systems is an American company that designs camera stabilisers, gimbals, cinema drones and commercial drones. It is based in Woodinville, Washington.
Who founded Freefly?
Tabb Firchau, David Bloomfield, Hugh Bell and Megan Fogel cofounded Freefly Systems in 2011, and its first product was the CineStar multirotor camera platform.
What is the Freefly Alta X?
The Alta X is Freefly's heavy-lift professional drone, a successor to the Alta launched in 2015, used for carrying cinema cameras and other payloads.
What is the Freefly Astro?
Astro is a Freefly drone in the company's commercial and government lineup. Freefly drones are used for jobs such as mapping and surveying terrain and inspecting power lines.
What is the Mōvi?
The Mōvi is Freefly's handheld electronic camera stabiliser. The Mōvi M10 launched in April 2013 and won industry awards for smoothing moving-camera shots.
What are Freefly drones used for?
Freefly drones film movies and sports, inspect power lines, map terrain, fight fires, seed forests, deliver medical supplies and help control avalanches, according to a profile in a local business publication.
How big is Freefly?
Freefly Systems has about 70 employees, according to its Wikipedia profile, and operates from Woodinville in Washington state. It has designed and made camera systems and drones since its cofounding in 2011.
What was Freefly's first product?
The CineStar, a multirotor camera platform, was Freefly's first product. The company then added gimbals, the Mōvi stabilisers and later the Alta drone series.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official FREEFLY datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.