Cape Announces Facebook Live API Integration to Support Streaming Drone Video at the F8 Developer Conference
Technology demonstrated in real time leading up to Mark Zuckerberg's opening keynote address to attendees
SAN FRANCISCO, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at F8, Facebook's annual developer conference, Cape – the world's first consumer drone video service – announced that the company has integrated its drone video technology with the newly launched Facebook Live API to live stream high-quality aerial video directly to Facebook. This new feature was demonstrated with a live stream from a Cape drone flying outside the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, during the lead-up to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's opening keynote address.
"Cape prides itself as being a visionary and leader within the consumer drone industry and integrating with Facebook's live-streaming capabilities is the next step in our mission to bring next-generation drone experiences to consumers," said Jason Soll, chief executive officer of Cape. "We are extremely proud of our collaboration with the Facebook team and hope that our integration of this new technology excites our customers - and other developers - around the world."
Today, Cape helps families and adventurers relive their ski vacation memories by capturing their runs with drones and sending them professionally edited videos of their experience. Cape's enterprise iPad application controls the drone flights and streams live footage to the licensed pilots overseeing the operation. The integration with the Facebook Live API will allow Cape customers to broadcast this same live footage from the Cape app directly to Facebook, so that friends and family can watch them in real-time.
Cape's new Facebook Live API integration for streaming drone video is proprietary and presents a host of future commercial applications for the company, which Cape will explore as the company turns its attention beyond winter sports.
"Integrating with the Facebook Live API is a natural extension for Cape," said Thomas Finsterbusch, chief technology officer of Cape. "Watching the video live stream from our drones today at the F8 conference was not only extremely rewarding, but also a demonstration of our team's commitment to advancing the possibilities for drone video technology. It was great working closely with the Facebook Live API team to get our drones streaming to Facebook."
The announcement made at the F8 conference comes on the heels of Cape receiving a unique amendment in late December 2015 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to the company's existing Section 333 exemption for commercial drone operations in the United States (U.S.). This first-of-its-kind amendment is tailored specifically to Cape's operations and makes the company the first operator in the U.S. legally authorized to fly drones within 500 feet of consumers and in an area wider than a closed movie set.
"Over the course of thousands of missions, Cape has always pushed the limit of what's possible with drones while maintaining a 100% perfect record of safety and FAA compliance," said Louis Gresham, chief operations officer and president of Cape. "Live streaming from a Cape drone in the San Francisco Bay for a worldwide Facebook audience - with full FAA approval - was an amazing opportunity to push the envelope even further."
Cape has filmed skiers in Canada since December 2014 and in the U.S. since October 2015. This winter, Cape has been operational at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows (CA), Powder Mountain Resort (UT), Homewood Mountain Resort (CA), Mammoth Mountain (CA) and Fernie Alpine Resort in British Columbia, Canada.
About Cape Productions
Cape Productions (www.cape.com) is the world's first drone video service for consumers. Cape's customers receive professionally edited highlight videos after drones film them enjoying their favorite outdoor activities. Since its inception in June of 2014, Cape has conducted operations all over the world, partnered with renowned venues and filmed some of the best athletes on the planet. Cape's founders hail from Google[x] and Stanford, and the company is supported by a world-class team of luminaries in the fields of robotics, action sports, drones and venture capital. The company has raised more than $10 million to date to bring aerial video and data to anyone, anywhere.
About F8
Facebook's F8 conference is the annual gathering for its developer community. Attendees learn about new integrations, open source technologies and the latest immersive experiences within Facebook at the meeting. This year's event features more than 40 sessions along with product announcements, interactive demos and the opportunity to get one-on-one help from the Facebook team.
SOURCE Cape
Related Links
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article