Autel Retires EVO Nano and Lite Consumer Drone Series

Series Sunset Announced

Autel Robotics unveils a pivotal shift by discontinuing its popular EVO Nano and Lite consumer drone lines, signaling the end of an era for compact aerial imaging tools. This retirement, confirmed through updated product listings and official store pages, clears the path for advanced successors amid intensifying market demands for superior imaging and autonomy. Industry watchers see this as Autel's strategic pivot, retiring models like the EVO Lite+ that once challenged giants with 6K video prowess, to focus resources on next-generation platforms. The move disrupts entry-level drone availability, prompting creators to explore upgrades before stocks vanish.

Legacy Features Recapped

The EVO Lite+ stood out with its adjustable f/2.8 to f/11 aperture on a 1-inch CMOS sensor, delivering 6K/30fps videos and 20MP stills that balanced dynamic range in challenging light. Its three-axis gimbal ensured stable footage during high-speed maneuvers, while automated modes like Rocket, Orbit, Flick, and Fade Away simplified cinematic shots for novices and pros alike. Transmission reached 7.4 miles via Skylink, streaming 2.7K/30fps feeds, making it a reliable choice for remote operations. These innovations empowered users to capture professional-grade content without steep learning curves, defining the series' consumer appeal before its phase-out.

Avoidance Tech Spotlight

Engineering feats in the Lite series included three-way obstacle avoidance using front, rear, and downward sensors, paired with ultrasonic altimeters for precise navigation in cluttered environments. GPS/GLONASS integration, visual odometry, and IMU enabled stable hovering even in signal-weak zones, with Ludicrous mode pushing speeds to 18 m/s for rapid repositioning. The proprietary Autel Sky app delivered over-the-air firmware updates, enhancing reliability over time. These advances minimized crashes during aggressive flights, setting benchmarks that successors must exceed as Autel retires the line.

Applications Now Evolving

Professionals leveraged the EVO Lite+ for real estate flyovers revealing property layouts, infrastructure inspections spotting hidden flaws, and cinematic videography crafting immersive narratives. Surveyors mapped terrains efficiently over 40-minute flights, while creators produced 6K HDR content for films and ads. Its 835g foldable frame suited portable fieldwork, with safety like return-to-home and geofencing ensuring compliant operations. As the series retires, users pivot to enterprise-grade alternatives, transforming how industries deploy drone cameras for precision tasks.

Specs Breakdown Revealed

Measuring 21.3 x 15.7 x 9.1 cm and weighing 0.835 kg, the quadcopter hits 18 m/s in Ludicrous mode, ideal for swift surveys. A 1-inch CMOS sensor anchors the camera payload, supported by ultrasonic, six-eye avoidance, GPS, barometer, and compass for robust positioning via GPS/GLONASS, visual odometry, and IMU. Safety encompasses obstacle braking, auto-return, low-battery landing, and tracking. The Autel Sky app handles iOS/Android control with OTA updates, while batteries last 2-3 years, enabling extended professional shoots in photography, real estate, and inspections.

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