Should DJI be scared of the HOVERAir AQUA drone?

Zero Zero Robotics turned heads with yesterday’s launch on Indiegogo of the HOVERAir AQUA drone. The HOVERAir Aqua is a waterproof, self-flying camera drone that follows you hands-free while you’re out on the water doing activities like paddleboarding, snorkeling or jetskiing — all without worrying about a splash taking it down.

Here are some of the HOVERAir Aqua drone’s key specs:

• 4K/100 fps slow-motion camera with a 1/1.28” CMOS sensor and hydrophobic lens
• 23 minutes of flight time
• Lightweight (under 249g, so no FAA registration required)
• Level 7 wind resistance (up to 33 knots)
• Tracking speeds up to 34 mph
• More than 15 automated flight modes, including “snorkel mode” and “gimbal mode”
• An accessory called the Lighthouse, worn on your arm, that acts like a controller with a built-in “virtual tether”
• A tiny integrated AMOLED screen for live preview and playback without needing a phone

All that for early bird pricing of $999.

The HOVERAir Aqua is a clever product, and it’s particularly notable because DJI has never offered anything like it. Which raises the fun question: should DJI (easily the world’s most dominant drone maker) be worried?

A history of pushing DJI

While DJI absolutely dominates the drone space, I will say that Zero Zero is one of the only companies that has ever managed to push DJI in specs and provide a strong DJI alternative. Many other DJI competitors, like Autel, have largely only amounted to ripping off what DJI has already made. Zero Zero is one of the few that has innovated on its own.

The HOVERAir X1 proved that when it launched in 2023. Zero Zero added on to it a year later with even spiffier models: the HoverAir X1 PRO and HOVERAir X1 PROMAX.

The HOVERAir line of folding drones had specs and features that, in some ways, beat DJI at its own game. These drones stood out with its ultra-portable, hands-free, AI-powered tracking. But they also had some issues, including cheap design that easily broke.

So then — as the drone-making powerhouse almost always does — DJI answered back with products like the DJI Flip. The Flip took many of those same ideas that we saw with the HOVERAir, but then polished them to perfection.

That’s the dynamic I love watching: Zero Zero innovates on the edges, and DJI swoops in to refine and mainstream those innovations.

With the HOVERAir AQUA drone, Zero Zero is once again going where DJI hasn’t: into the water.

Will DJI make a waterproof drone?

DJI drones are famously cautious when it comes to the elements. Most DJI models warn you about flying in light rain. The closest DJI will go to waterproof is the DJI Matrice 4D drone, which features IP55-rated dust and water resistance, but that really only means that the drone can function in light rain. Plus, that drone is a whopping $5,500 — which isn’t something regular consumers would likely buy for their Hawaiian surf vacation.

Generally speaking though, DJI drones are built for the skies, not the sea. AQUA, by contrast, brags about being the world’s first 100% waterproof flying camera. It’s designed to float, fly and keep up even if it gets dunked. That opens up new territory — surfing footage, paddleboarding shots, fishing videos or even just carefree family lake days without the constant “oh no, don’t splash the drone!” anxiety.

Could DJI make something like this? I’m willing to say absolutely. DJI has the engineering muscle, the supply chain, the marketing reach. If it decides waterproofing is a worthwhile mass-market feature, it could out-execute Zero Zero in months. But DJI is strategic. It doesn’t usually chase niche categories. It waits until something proves there’s a wide audience, then drops in with the bigger, better version. If AQUA becomes more than a gimmick — if it shows there’s real demand — DJI could very well follow.

Should DJI be scared of the HOVERAir AQUA drone?

So should DJI be scared right now? I’m going to say no. Let’s not forget that AQUA is launching on Indiegogo. Even though Zero Zero is a legitimate company with patents and VC backing, crowdfunding campaigns always come with caveats (remember the Lily drone?!). Sometimes the final product doesn’t live up to the promise. Sometimes the production scale isn’t there. And even if it works perfectly, DJI still owns the consumer drone distribution channels, the retailer relationships and the brand trust.

But here’s what DJI should do: pay attention. With the HOVERAir AQUA drone, Zero Zero has once again found a way to zig where DJI zags. They’ve made waterproofing into a consumer-friendly story. They’re showing there’s appetite for a drone that doesn’t panic at a splash. And if that appetite is real, I’d bet money DJI has a waterproof drone blueprint tucked in a drawer somewhere, ready to roll out the moment they see traction.

In my opinion, DJI doesn’t need to be scared just yet. But if I were DJI? I’d at least get my feet wet.

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