The drone hovers above contemporary culture. Like all tools, it’s an extension of human ambitions – be they helpful or deleterious. It’s attachment to military operations or clandestine corporate projects lend an outsized sense of collective unease. This is where Los Angeles-based studio Ichelle Im sees a chance to change the conversation. They pose a simple question, what if a drone were friendly?
001 came out of a desire to create a drone that’s approachable and easy to use. Ichelle Im studio is the brainchild of artist and concept editor Michelle JY Park and Tesla Motors lead designer Andrew Kim. They conceived a drone that was softer, friendlier in design with a smooth linear surface that invites the user to engage.
It’s equipped with a debatable panoramic camera that can be mounted to either the drone body or handle. The streamline design belies its high-tech pedigree. Michelle JY Park and Andrew Kim ensured that the user experience is both familiar and intuitive. This is engineered innovation. Technology serves as knowledge applied for practice purpose, and for Ichelle Im’s 001 Drone, the sky’s the limit.
