• DJI’s latest drones come packed with “Follow Me” modes (ActiveTrack) that let them autonomously trail a subject while avoiding obstacles streamlife.live thedroneu.com. Even sub-250g models like the Mini 4 Pro boast 360° tracking and omnidirectional sensors for worry-free self-filming.
• Experts praise DJI’s camera quality and ease of use, but note competitors have led in autonomy – Skydio’s AI-driven drones long set the gold standard for follow-me tracking and obstacle dodging dcrainmaker.com thedronegirl.com. Tech reviewers find DJI’s latest ActiveTrack 360° “highly effective” for beginners techradar.com, yet some still yearn for Skydio-level smarts.
• Rival brands offer formidable follow-me drones too: Skydio’s now-discontinued 2+ was famed for hands-free tracking through forests, Autel’s Evo II Pro V3 packs a 6K camera and 360° obstacle sensing thedroneu.com, and newcomers like HoverAir X1 provide pocket-sized drones that follow you at a button press dcrainmaker.com. Each has its own strengths in the chase for the perfect self-flying camera.
• Next-gen “follow-me” drones are on the horizon. Leaks suggest DJI’s Mini 5 Pro (expected late 2025) will add a 1-inch sensor and even LiDAR for next-level tracking accuracy loyaltydrones.com. DJI is also rumored to refresh its tiny Neo drone and FPV Avata with better cameras and battery life loyaltydrones.com. Meanwhile, Autel is speculated to be cooking up an Evo III, and HoverAir just unveiled upgraded X1 Pro models that track faster (up to ~26 mph) and even shoot 8K video us.hoverair.com us.hoverair.com.
• The auto-follow drone market is buzzing in the news. DJI garnered headlines by launching palm-sized follow drones like the Neo ($199) aimed at vloggers geeky-gadgets.com, while U.S.-based Skydio made waves by exiting the consumer market despite its reputation for “crash-proof” tracking drones thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com. Even Snap’s foray into selfie drones (the Pixy) fizzled out in 2022 wired.com, underscoring how competitive – and challenging – the follow-me niche has become. Below, we break down DJI’s offerings, expert takes, how DJI compares to Skydio/Autel/Hover, what’s coming next, and the latest news shaping this high-flying category.

DJI’s Current Follow-Me Drones and Key Features

DJI has incorporated its ActiveTrack autonomous follow technology into almost all of its recent consumer drones streamlife.live. ActiveTrack combines vision recognition and GPS to lock onto a subject, keep it framed, and navigate around obstacles – essentially letting the drone be your aerial cameraman streamlife.live. Here are DJI’s notable “follow-me” drone offerings and what they bring to the table:

• DJI Mavic 3 Pro – DJI’s flagship camera drone (starting around $2,199) featuring a triple-camera array and ActiveTrack 5.0 for advanced subject tracking thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com. It carries multiple vision sensors (six fish-eye + two wide-angle) enabling omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, so it can intelligently follow you through complex environments without collision thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com. With up to 46 minutes of flight time and a pro-grade Hasselblad camera (4/3” CMOS), the Mavic 3 Pro is geared toward filmmakers and power users who need reliable tracking and top-tier image quality thedroneu.com thedroneu.com. (DJI’s newly launched Mavic 4 Pro builds on this, adding LiDAR sensors to detect fine obstacles in the dark and 6 extra avoidance cameras for even safer tracking dcrainmaker.com. It’s a “beast” of a drone with ~51 min max flight time and the latest ActiveTrack 360° system, catering to professionals who demand the best in follow-me tech and imaging.)
• DJI Air 3 – A mid-range all-rounder (~$1,099) that offers DJI’s latest follow features in a travel-friendly package thedronegirl.com. The Air 3 sports a unique dual-camera system (a wide 1/1.3″ sensor and a 3× tele lens) which allows creative tracking shots from varying perspectives thedroneu.com thedroneu.com. It uses ActiveTrack 5.0, letting the drone smoothly track subjects from the front, side, or behind and even switch angles mid-flight for dynamic footage thedroneu.com. Critically, the Air 3 has omnidirectional obstacle sensing as well, so it can follow a biker or boat through tricky terrain while intelligently avoiding crashes thedroneu.com. With ~46 minutes of flight per battery and the new O4 video transmission (up to 20 km range), this drone is a favorite among content creators and adventure sports enthusiasts who need robust follow-me capability without the Mavic’s price tag thedroneu.com thedroneu.com.
• DJI Mini 4 Pro – An ultra-light (sub-249g) drone that proves “follow-me” tech isn’t just for big drones thedroneu.com thedroneu.com. Despite its palm-friendly size, the Mini 4 Pro packs omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and ActiveTrack 360° tracking, meaning it can automatically trail you and dodge obstacles in all directions thedroneu.com thedroneu.com. It shoots up to 4K/60fps HDR or even 4K/100fps slow-mo video, and its under-250g weight means no registration is required in many regions thedroneu.com thedroneu.com. Priced around $759 (with standard controller) thedronegirl.com, the Mini 4 Pro is touted as an ideal beginner “follow-me” drone for travel vloggers, outdoor athletes, and anyone who wants a compact aerial camera crew. Reviewers note that its ActiveTrack 360° is “highly effective, making it an easy drone for beginners to fly confidently.” techradar.com In short, this mini drone can follow you automatically on hikes or bike rides, capturing footage that belies its size – all while fitting in your jacket pocket.
• DJI Neo – DJI’s new entry (released late 2024) in the autonomous follow arena, and its most compact. Weighing just 135 g, the Neo is a palm-launched selfie drone built for hands-free filming of yourself geeky-gadgets.com. It relies on AI subject tracking (vision-based) to lock onto you and follow without a controller – you literally toss it up from your palm, and it’ll start recording and tracking your movements geeky-gadgets.com geeky-gadgets.com. The Neo shoots 4K/30fps video and offers a suite of QuickShots (pre-programmed moves like Dronie, Circle, Rocket) to easily get cinematic clips geeky-gadgets.com. With ~18 minutes of flight and full propeller guards, it’s safer for close-quarters and indoor use geeky-gadgets.com. The trade-off: it lacks obstacle avoidance sensors, so it’s best used in open areas geeky-gadgets.com. At $199 (with an optional $349 “Fly More” kit), the DJI Neo makes auto-follow aerial filming accessible to casual users and vloggers on a budget geeky-gadgets.com geeky-gadgets.com. It’s essentially a tiny flying camera buddy – one Tech writer calls it DJI’s “lightest, most user-friendly auto-follow drone” for effortless content creation geeky-gadgets.com.
• DJI Flip – Another newcomer (launched January 2025) designed for beginner-friendly, safe auto-follow flights. The Flip is a mini drone under 249g that uniquely features foldable full-coverage propeller guards loyaltydrones.com – meaning you can bump into things without wrecking the drone, a big plus for indoor use or novice pilots. It has a 1/1.3″ camera capable of 4K/60fps HDR video and 48 MP stills, similar in imaging to the Mini 4 Pro loyaltydrones.com. For tracking, the Flip supports DJI’s FocusTrack suite (which includes ActiveTrack subject following, Spotlight, and Point of Interest modes) and even MasterShots for automated filming loyaltydrones.com. It can take off from your palm and even be controlled purely via smartphone, reinforcing its aim as a grab-and-go selfie drone loyaltydrones.com. With ~31 minutes max flight and O4 transmission ~13 km, the Flip bridges the gap between toy-like selfie drones and advanced DJI tech loyaltydrones.com. Notably, it starts at $439 with a controller, making it an “affordable option” relative to higher-end models like the Mini 4 Pro loyaltydrones.com loyaltydrones.com. The Flip’s core appeal is to give beginners and vloggers an easy, crash-resistant way to have a drone follow them around for shots, both outdoors and in tight indoor spaces, without fear of damage or complex controls.

Use Cases: Broadly, DJI’s follow-me drones cover use cases from high-end film production to everyday personal footage. A Mavic 3/4 Pro might be used to autonomously track a skier down a mountain or a car through winding roads in a professional shoot, leveraging its superior sensors and camera. The Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro are popular among YouTubers, travelers, and athletes for hands-free filming of activities like biking, running, or surfing – drones under $1,000 can now reliably track action sports thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com. And ultra-portable options like the Neo/Flip target casual scenarios: recording yourself while skateboarding in the park, vlogging your travel adventures, or capturing family moments – all without needing a dedicated pilot. Essentially, DJI’s lineup shows “follow-me” drones have scaled down in size and price, to the point where even a hobbyist or beginner can have a camera drone that automatically follows them and records the moment.

What the Experts Say About DJI’s Auto-Follow Tech

Ever since DJI debuted ActiveTrack on the Phantom 4 in 2016 – a milestone that “revolutionized” consumer drones’ ability to follow subjects intelligently thedronegirl.com – the company has refined its follow-me technology with each generation. Expert reviews generally applaud DJI’s ActiveTrack for its reliability and integration with DJI’s high-quality cameras, but some also point out its limitations and how rivals have pushed the envelope:

• “DJI makes some of the best drones out there… but when it comes to follow-me features, they haven’t always had the best – that award was Skydio’s for years,” notes tech reviewer Ray Maker dcrainmaker.com. DJI’s drones have historically excelled in imaging and stability, yet Skydio’s autonomous navigation and obstacle dodging were a step ahead in pure tracking intelligence dcrainmaker.com. This sentiment is echoed by many in the drone community: DJI’s ActiveTrack is good and keeps improving, but a dedicated follow drone like the Skydio 2+ set a high bar for AI-powered tracking.
• Obstacle Avoidance & Safety: Sally French (“The Drone Girl”) emphasizes that modern follow-me drones benefit greatly from having omnidirectional obstacle sensors – and DJI has been steadily adding more eyes to its drones thedronegirl.com. The Mini 4 Pro, for instance, earned praise for being the first sub-250g DJI drone with full obstacle sensing, making it “even safer… when operating near trees” and other obstacles techradar.com. TechRadar’s review found the Mini 4 Pro’s ActiveTrack 360° “highly effective” in practice, noting that the drone could confidently follow subjects and avoid crashes, giving beginners more trust in letting the drone fly itself techradar.com. However, as one drone expert quipped, “the better obstacle avoidance drones get, the more cautious they become” dcrainmaker.com – high-end models like the Mavic 4 Pro will sometimes play it very safe to avoid collision (e.g. slowing or stopping in very tight spaces), whereas some smaller follow drones without sensors will just “yolo” through and risk a crash dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com. It’s a trade-off between aggressiveness in tracking versus guaranteed safety.
• Comparing ActiveTrack Versions: DJI’s latest ActiveTrack iterations (4.0, 5.0, 360° etc.) have significantly improved subject recognition and tracking fluidity, according to testers. The Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro, for example, can now track from any angle and even re-acquire a subject if it temporarily exits frame, which earlier drones struggled with thedroneu.com thedroneu.com. Reviewers like Maker have subjected these drones to torture tests (“The Gauntlet”) in dense woods and observed far better performance than past models – though still not infallible. On the other hand, some enthusiasts point out DJI tends to reserve the very latest tracking features for new hardware. “To get the best tracking from DJI, you have to get a new drone every year or so,” one commenter lamented, noting that older models don’t always get upgraded ActiveTrack via firmware dcrainmaker.com. DJI’s philosophy has often been to bundle its newest algorithms with its newest drones.
• User-Friendly Automation: A big plus consistently mentioned is how easy DJI makes it to use these follow functions. Many drones require a tap on the controller screen to select your subject, and then the drone handles the rest – adjusting its position, speed, and camera angle automatically. “It’s easy to capture a cinematic shot while flying,” thanks to ActiveTrack, DJI said of the Phantom 4’s new feature back in 2016 thedronegirl.com, and that ease of use has only grown. Even complex moves like circling a moving subject at a distance can now be done by the drone’s AI. This is why even professional filmmakers use ActiveTrack for certain shots – the drone’s on-board autopilot can often achieve smoother framing than a human pilot in a tricky chase scene. The consensus in reviews is that DJI’s auto-follow is extremely approachable: novices can get it working in seconds via the app, and the drone will smoothly follow without needing manual stick input. As one early reviewer of ActiveTrack noted, it “made it easy to capture a cinematic shot… whether walking along a trail or driving a car” thedronegirl.com – essentially democratizing aerial tracking shots.
• Skydio’s Shadow: No discussion of follow-me tech is complete without mentioning Skydio. Skydio’s drones (until their consumer line ended) were widely regarded as the autonomy champions, able to chase a subject through a dense forest or crowded skate park with uncanny skill. “The Skydio 2… easily swooped the title of best follow-me drone for many years in a row,” writes Sally French, noting it had an excellent camera and was “all-but crash proof” thanks to 360° obstacle sensing thedronegirl.com. By contrast, DJI’s consumer drones (until recently) required the pilot to have the controller on and would not aggressively fly themselves out of every risky situation. That said, DJI has closed the gap significantly – drones like the Mavic 3 Pro and Air 3 have omnidirectional vision and more advanced pathfinding than earlier models, making them far more Skydio-like. Industry observers have also noted DJI’s venture into smaller self-flying cams (Neo, Flip) as a response to the niche that Skydio and others identified: people want hands-free aerial filming without a steep learning curve geeky-gadgets.com. Overall, experts see DJI’s follow-me tech as state-of-the-art in a general-purpose drone – especially given the company’s polish in camera quality and flight stability – but they acknowledge that specialized players showed what’s possible with AI-driven tracking (and DJI is clearly learning from that).

DJI vs. The Competition: Skydio, Autel, HoverAir and Others

DJI isn’t the only game in town when it comes to drones that automatically follow you with a camera. Let’s compare how DJI’s auto-follow drones stack up against some notable competitors in this space, each with their own twist on the concept:

• Skydio 2+ (and Skydio X2) – The AI Autonomy Champ. Skydio, a California-based company, made headlines by building drones so smart at flying themselves that you could practically throw away the controller. The Skydio 2 (later 2+) used an array of fisheye cameras and advanced AI to navigate around trees, cables, and complex obstacles in real time while tracking a subject. This let athletes get footage snowboarding through forests or mountain biking on winding trails where other drones would quickly crash. Reviewers often said Skydio’s subject tracking was on another level: it didn’t just follow GPS – it “recognized and dodged obstacles on its own, in some cases better than a human pilot could.” The Skydio 2 series was priced around $1,099–$1,499 (depending on kit) and became the go-to “follow-me” drone for action sports thedronegirl.com. It had a 4K60 HDR camera and decent (though not DJI-level) range. Importantly, Skydio drones could be used completely controller-free: through a phone or a GPS beacon, you could let the drone loose to track you while you focus on your activity dcrainmaker.com. This was a key differentiator – DJI’s ActiveTrack traditionally assumes you still have the remote handy (the drone maintains connection to it), whereas Skydio’s philosophy was true hands-off filming. In practice, Skydio’s autonomy was so good that it snagged awards and was often considered the most advanced consumer drone for follow-me tasks. However, in 2023–24 Skydio decided to exit the consumer market to focus on enterprise and military drones thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com. This means the Skydio 2+ is no longer officially sold (the company stopped consumer sales in mid-2024), marking an end of an era. Still, the impact of Skydio is seen in the market – it proved what robust obstacle avoidance can do, and many of its ideas are being adopted by others. If you can find a Skydio 2+ second-hand, it remains a phenomenal follow drone (just note support may be limited going forward).
• Autel Robotics (Evo Series) – DJI’s Challenger with “Dynamic Track.” Autel is often pitched as the top alternative to DJI in camera drones. Its Evo II Pro series, especially the latest Evo II Pro V3, offers a compelling follow-me capable platform. The Evo II Pro V3 carries a 1-inch CMOS camera that can shoot up to 6K video (verging into professional territory) thedroneu.com. Autel’s follow feature is called Dynamic Track 2.1, and it uses a mix of computer vision and GPS similar to DJI’s system. In the Evo II, Dynamic Track lets the drone track from various angles (side, front, behind) and the drone has full 360° obstacle avoidance as well thedroneu.com. In essence, the Evo will try to emulate the subject-tracking smarts of DJI’s drones, and with its high-spec camera, you get excellent footage. Autel’s advantage sometimes lies in flexibility – for instance, the Evo II can fly missions without geofencing restrictions that DJI enforces, and it often has slightly longer flight times (up to 40 minutes on Evo II Pro V3) thedroneu.com. Price-wise, the Evo II Pro V3 retails around $1,500 (comparable to a Mavic 3 Classic). There’s also the smaller Autel EVO Lite+ (with a ~1″ sensor and “Dynamic Track” mode) which is closer to Air 3 class and has been noted as “a great alternative…with similar follow capabilities” to DJI’s drones thedronegirl.com. Overall, Autel’s follow-me is quite competent, though in reviews it sometimes isn’t as polished – for example, tracking can be less smooth or lose the subject a bit quicker than DJI ActiveTrack in tricky scenarios. Still, Autel drones don’t require phone activation or no-fly zone unlocking, which some users prefer. If you want a high-quality camera drone not made by DJI that can follow you, Autel’s Evo line is the primary choice.
• HoverAir X1 – Pocket Self-Flying Camera. A newcomer to the scene (from startup Zero Zero Robotics), HoverAir X1 takes the concept of a selfie drone that follows you and runs with it. The X1 is a tiny 125g flyer – literally fitting in your palm – with fully enclosed props and a built-in 2.7K camera. Its hallmark feature is a “Follow Me” mode that requires no controller or phone app open dcrainmaker.com. You just launch the X1 from your hand, press a button, and it will lock onto you (using vision tracking) and float around following your movement. It’s essentially a flying cameraman for quick clips, and it’s very approachable. The X1 doesn’t have avoidance sensors (like DJI Neo, it relies on being lightweight and guarded to survive bumps). It can track at up to ~16 mph and has around 12–15 minutes of flight per battery. While image quality and stability aren’t on par with larger drones, it’s the convenience that’s appealing – no controller needed while you skateboard, jog, or surf (it can even take off from and land in your palm on a paddleboard). The HoverAir X1 launched around $349 (with a combo kit) dcrainmaker.com. How does it compare to DJI’s minis? The X1 is smaller and simpler than something like the DJI Mini 4 Pro – it’s more of a flying “camera phone” that you use for 10-20 second clips. The Mini 4 Pro, while still small, is a much more capable aircraft with long-range control, high-end camera, and serious autonomy. So they serve different needs: HoverAir is for ultra-portable, short-range follow shots (and perhaps for those uneasy with piloting), whereas DJI’s minis give you more creative control and robustness at the cost of size and needing a controller. Notably, HoverAir has released upgraded X1 models (Pro and Pro Max) in 2024 to push this concept further: the X1 Pro/ProMax can hit 26 mph follow speeds and the top model even records 8K video, plus they improved the AI with a more powerful processor for better tracking us.hoverair.com us.hoverair.com. This indicates the “micro follow-me drone” niche is heating up. DJI’s answer here would be the Neo or Flip – which are slightly bigger but similarly aimed at casual, close-range tracking shots.
• Other Notables: A few other brands and products have made attempts at follow-me drones. Parrot (a French drone maker) had models like the Anafi with a Follow Me mode (using phone GPS and visual tracking), but Parrot has since shifted away from the consumer market. Yuneec offered a “Wizard” GPS tracker with its drones in the past for follow-me, though their products are far less common now streamlife.live. AirDog and Staaker were niche drones specifically designed to follow athletes via a wearable beacon – great for certain sports, but those companies are no longer mainstream (AirDog’s leash-based follow concept in 2017 was innovative but the company folded). And as mentioned below, Snap’s Pixy was an attempt at a wearable-camera replacement: a mini drone that can film you and then literally land in your hand. It was an intriguing idea (much like the HoverAir), but Snap halted Pixy just months after launch in 2022 wired.com. Finally, for those who don’t actually need a flying camera, some experts quip that the DJI Osmo Action 4 (an action camera) paired with a selfie stick or an AI auto-tracking mount can also “follow” you in a sense thedronegirl.com – but of course, it can’t replicate the cinematic angles of a drone.

Bottom line: DJI’s follow-me drones currently dominate the general market with a balance of strong autonomy and high-quality footage. Skydio proved how far autonomy could go, Autel provides a solid DJI alternative with high specs, and new ultra-portables like HoverAir X1 and DJI’s own Neo/Flip show a trend toward making follow-me drones as easy as pulling out your phone for a selfie. Consumers now have a range of options – from beefy, sensor-laden flagships to tiny toss-and-film gadgets – depending on whether their priority is absolute tracking performance, image quality, or convenience.

Rumors and What’s Coming Next in Auto-Follow Drones

The drone industry moves fast, and the next generation of follow-me drones is already on the horizon. Here’s a look at what DJI and its competitors are rumored to be cooking up, as well as officially announced upcoming models:

• DJI Mini 5 Pro (Rumored) – The rumor mill is abuzz about DJI’s next ultralight drone, expected in late 2025 as an upgrade to the Mini 4 Pro. If leaks are accurate, the Mini 5 Pro will push the envelope of what a sub-250g drone can do. Key whispers include a larger 1-inch camera sensor (up from 1/1.3″) for improved image quality, and notably, the addition of LiDAR obstacle sensing loyaltydrones.com. LiDAR on a tiny drone would be a first – it could enable super-precise obstacle detection (even in low light) and complement DJI’s Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) for autonomous flight. ActiveTrack is also said to get an upgrade (perhaps an “ActiveTrack 6.0”) with new algorithms for even stickier subject tracking and possibly integration with that LiDAR for tracking through very complex scenes loyaltydrones.com loyaltydrones.com. Other rumored specs are impressive: ~50 minutes max flight time, 25 km transmission range, and even gesture control allowing you to command the drone with hand signals loyaltydrones.com. Some leaks suggest a Mini 5 Pro prototype has been spotted in testing, reinforcing these expectations loyaltydrones.com. If all true, the Mini 5 Pro could be a game-changer – essentially a palm-sized drone with near-Mavic level tracking and safety. The release timeline speculations vary (some point to August 2025, others September) loyaltydrones.com, but it’s one of the most anticipated launches in the consumer drone space.
• DJI Neo 2 and Avata 3 (Rumored) – DJI appears to be continuing its push in both the palm-drone and FPV categories with follow-up models. The Neo 2 (successor to the Neo) is expected to retain the <250g form but with improvements like a bigger camera sensor (possibly 1/1.3″) and longer ~25 min flight time loyaltydrones.com. That could mean better 4K footage and maybe adding at least basic obstacle sensors or more advanced AI so it’s not completely “flying blind” when following. A Neo 2 could address the first-gen’s shortcomings (like adding avoidance or increasing tracking speed) – a late 2025 release has been rumored in tandem with Mini 5 and Avata updates loyaltydrones.com. The DJI Avata 3, meanwhile, would be the next version of DJI’s FPV cinewhoop drone. While FPV drones are manually flown, an Avata 3 might incorporate better subject tracking or automated flight paths for filmmakers. Rumors hint at a larger camera sensor and improved stability/obstacle avoidance on Avata 3 loyaltydrones.com, which could indirectly aid anyone using it to film themselves (e.g. a mountain biker controlling Avata via goggles). No firm dates on Avata 3, but possibly late 2025 as well.
• Other DJI Developments: DJI just released the Mavic 4 Pro in late 2024, and its headline feature relevant to follow-me is that it has a built-in LiDAR scanner and improved obstacle cameras dcrainmaker.com. This was officially announced and has started shipping. While not a “rumor,” it shows DJI’s trajectory – they’re incorporating more advanced sensors (LiDAR, mmWave, etc.) into drones to make them even more autonomous. One can imagine those features trickling down to smaller models over time (as rumored for Mini 5 Pro). DJI also unveiled the Flip in early 2025 (covered above), which was a surprise entry targeting the beginner auto-follow niche loyaltydrones.com loyaltydrones.com. It wouldn’t be surprising if DJI continues this trend of miniaturizing follow-me tech – perhaps a “DJI Pocket Drone” or other form factors could emerge in the next year or two. For example, DJI has patents for drone docks and some AI features that could hint at automated “patrol” drones or more advanced tracking via the DJI Goggles (imagine controlling a follow drone with head movements).
• Competitor Rumors – Autel & Others: Autel Robotics is relatively due for a new flagship; the Evo II series has seen incremental “V3” updates, but drone watchers expect an Autel Evo III in the future. Speculation around Evo III is unconfirmed, but there was an outlandish leak suggesting Autel was experimenting with novel propulsion tech (one site mentioned “antigravity-inspired” flight – likely tongue-in-cheek or misinterpreted) loyaltydrones.com. More realistically, an Evo III would probably focus on matching or beating DJI’s camera (maybe an 8K or variable aperture setup) and including cutting-edge tracking AI to compete with ActiveTrack. Autel hasn’t announced anything yet; their recent focus was on enterprise (Dragonfish) and reissuing the Evo II in new colors/specs. If Autel is watching DJI, they might aim to capitalize on Skydio’s exit by offering an autonomy-forward consumer drone – possibly marketing it as a “Skydio replacement” with strong follow-me chops. Time will tell, but keep an eye on Autel news in 2025.
• HoverAir X1 Pro/ProMax: Unlike DJI/Autel which operate in secrecy, HoverAir’s roadmap is clearer – they announced upgraded models of their X1 follow drone in mid-2024. The X1 Pro and ProMax were introduced with improved performance: they boast a top follow speed of 26 mph (42 km/h), which is significantly faster than the original X1’s ~16 mph cap us.hoverair.com us.hoverair.com. This means the new HoverAir can keep up with faster activities (e.g. cycling sprints, moderate driving) that earlier micro-drones couldn’t. The ProMax also features an 8K camera (versus 4K on the Pro) and enhanced processing (15× more NPU power for AI) us.hoverair.com us.hoverair.com, aiming to track subjects more precisely and smoothly even at high speeds. Additionally, HoverAir is adding specialized tracking modes like Skiing Mode and Cycling Mode to optimize the drone’s behavior for those scenarios (e.g. better path predictions, avoiding getting stuck or lost) us.hoverair.com. These models are expected to start shipping in late 2024 and into 2025. Their arrival underscores a growing segment for “personal AI camera” drones, and we may see other startups join in with similar devices.
• Wildcards: Could Skydio return with a new consumer drone eventually? The company said no for now, but enthusiasts fantasize about a Skydio 3 with even crazier AI if they ever changed course. There’s also the general trend of AI advancements – as tech like vision transformers and better processors become available, we might get drones with more human-like understanding of scenes. For instance, a future drone might not just follow a dot but could recognize who you are in a crowd or anticipate your next move (imagine a drone that can predict you’re about to jump and adjust). While not on any specific product rumor, these capabilities are being researched and could be a selling point down the line.

In summary, the next wave of follow-me drones looks exciting: DJI is likely upping the ante with improved sensors and AI on ultralight models, Autel might answer back, and smaller players like HoverAir are pushing innovation in mini form factors. Keep an eye on late-2025 announcements – by then we should see if the Mini 5 Pro lives up to the leaks, and whether any surprise competitors emerge to claim the autonomous tracking crown.

News and Trends in the Auto-Follow Drone Market

The auto-follow drone scene has seen some big developments and media buzz in the past year or two. Here are a few of the headline themes and news items shaping the market recently:

• Skydio Exits Consumer Market: One of the largest stories was Skydio’s decision to stop selling drones to consumers (announced in mid-2024) thedronegirl.com. This was significant because Skydio’s drones were often hailed as the most advanced follow-me devices available. The company shifted its focus entirely to enterprise and military clients, citing the stronger demand there and presumably the challenges of competing with DJI in the consumer space thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com. Tech media covered this extensively – IEEE Spectrum called the Skydio 2 “the most capable consumer drone ever made” and lamented that it’s “no longer for consumers” spectrum.ieee.org. The Drone Girl noted that Skydio joins a list of American drone makers that tried to crack the <$1,000 drone market and didn’t sustain it thedronegirl.com. For the follow-me segment, Skydio’s exit was a bit bittersweet: their technology showed how far autonomy could go, but now hobbyists can’t easily get a new Skydio. On the flip side, Skydio’s move potentially leaves a gap that others (DJI, Autel, Skydio’s startup peers) are keen to fill.
• DJI’s Expanding Lineup – Neo and Flip Launch: DJI made news by introducing two new consumer drones (Neo in Sep 2024 and Flip in Jan 2025) that explicitly highlight auto-follow and ease of use geeky-gadgets.com loyaltydrones.com. The DJI Neo garnered media attention as “DJI’s lightest, most compact auto-follow drone”, priced at just $199 geeky-gadgets.com geeky-gadgets.com. Outlets like Geeky Gadgets and others wrote about how Neo is designed for “effortless content creation” – a sign that DJI sees a mass-market for personal selfie drones geeky-gadgets.com. The DJI Flip, with its safety guards and vlogging-centric features, was similarly covered as DJI’s play to attract beginners. PCMag and others noted the Flip’s affordable $439 price and inclusion of tracking modes, positioning it as a fun entry-level follow-me drone loyaltydrones.com. These launches show DJI’s strategy to leave no niche unaddressed: from flagship Mavics to beginner auto-follow toys, they are saturating the market. The press generally viewed these positively, though with caveats that such small drones have limited range and are not meant for high-speed pursuits.
• Regulatory and Security News: While not directly about follow-me capability, it’s worth noting the regulatory environment often appears in drone news. For instance, DJI has faced continued scrutiny and even bans by U.S. authorities (being added to trade blacklists, etc.), which sometimes leads to discussions in the media about relying on Chinese-made drones. Simultaneously, Remote ID requirements (in the U.S. as of Sept 2023) mean drones broadcasting their location – all DJI’s new models comply out-of-the-box. This hasn’t specifically hindered follow modes, but it’s part of the backdrop in news coverage (e.g., “best drones of 2025” guides now mention which models are Remote ID ready). Additionally, there’s ongoing buzz about drone delivery and patrol drones using similar tech – essentially drones autonomously following routes. Companies like Skydio moving to enterprise, and DJI’s enterprise Matrice line incorporating advanced autonomy (like the new Matrice 400 with LiDAR loyaltydrones.com), show how the tech in “follow me” consumer drones is also being applied in commercial contexts (inspection drones that follow predefined paths, etc.).
• Trends: Rise of the Selfie Drone 2.0: A few years ago, “selfie drones” like the Hover Camera Passport and Snap Pixy were novel but had mixed success – Snap’s Pixy, for example, launched in April 2022 and was killed by August 2022, with Snap ceasing development and later recalling units wired.com. That made some observers think the concept was premature. However, the trend has resurged with better tech: the HoverAir X1 (2023) proved there is demand for a small, no-controller follow drone, earning reviews by mainstream gadget sites and YouTubers (DC Rainmaker’s video of it navigating through woods – and crashing a bunch – got considerable attention dcrainmaker.com). Now DJI entering this arena adds credibility. Media outlets have started referring to these as “your personal camera crew in your pocket.” We’re seeing articles and segments on how creators can use a drone like Neo or X1 to film themselves hands-free for TikTok or YouTube, indicating a cultural acceptance. Essentially, what Snap Pixy tried (and failed) to pioneer, DJI and others are now refining – and the tech (AI tracking, battery life, stability) has caught up to make it actually useful. It’s a notable narrative in coverage: “Drones that follow you are becoming the new selfie stick,” enabling candid third-person views that used to require a camera operator.
• Sports and Media Coverage: Follow-me drones continue to be spotlighted in adventure and sports media. For instance, Red Bull and other extreme sports brands have showcased athletes using drones to film themselves surfing big waves or doing downhill skiing – often noting the drone’s autonomous features. In 2025, we’re even seeing some race events where athletes are trailed by camera drones for live footage. A lot of this is made possible by the reliability of modes like ActiveTrack. Drone review sites (DroneDJ, DroneXL, etc.) frequently run pieces like “How to use ActiveTrack for sports” dronedj.com, highlighting tips on using these modes for the best results. There’s also coverage of limitations – e.g. some drones can’t track fast-moving cars reliably, and forums have discussions on which drones can follow vehicles (many consumer drones officially only track people or slow objects). With each new model, media tests, like having a drone follow a skateboarder through a skatepark or a mountain biker on trails, are common on YouTube. These real-world tests are essentially free marketing for the concept of follow-me drones and often get picked up in written reviews as well.

In conclusion, the auto-follow drone market is firing on all cylinders: DJI’s expansion into every segment, the departure of Skydio shaking things up, new entrants like HoverAir pushing innovation, and constant media fascination with what these self-flying cameras can do. It’s a dynamic space where today’s cutting-edge (like omnidirectional vision or LiDAR) quickly becomes tomorrow’s standard. For consumers and creators, it means more choices than ever – whether you need a professional-grade cinematography rig that can track a rally car, or a toy-like flyer to film your morning run, 2025’s drone offerings have you covered. As always, interested buyers should keep an eye on credible reviews and news sources (e.g. DroneXL, DroneDJ, TheDroneGirl blog, etc.) for the latest on new releases and firmware updates that can further improve these autonomous flying cameramen.

Sources:

1. DJI Store – “Follow Me Drones 2024: Best drones that follow you automatically.” (Overview of ActiveTrack technology and DJI models) streamlife.live streamlife.live
2. DC Rainmaker (Ray Maker) – “HoverAir X1 Follow-Me Sports Drone: Tool, Toy, or Trash?” (Commentary on DJI vs Skydio follow-me tech) dcrainmaker.com dcrainmaker.com
3. Drone Girl (S. French) – “Best Follow-Me Drones for Tracking Sports” (Expert picks and history of follow-me drones) thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com
4. Drone U – “Top 6 Follow Me Drones (2025)” (Specs and features of DJI Mavic 3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro, Air 3, Autel Evo II, etc.) thedroneu.com thedroneu.com
5. TechRadar – “DJI Mini 4 Pro Review / Best Drones 2025” (Notes on Mini 4 Pro’s obstacle sensing and ActiveTrack performance) techradar.com
6. Geeky-Gadgets – “DJI Neo auto-follow drone for effortless content creation” (Launch news, Neo specs & pricing) geeky-gadgets.com geeky-gadgets.com
7. Loyalty Drones – “DJI Product Updates and Rumors 2025” (Details on DJI Flip features/price and upcoming Mini 5 Pro, Neo 2, etc.) loyaltydrones.com loyaltydrones.com
8. The Drone Girl – “Skydio consumer drones are no more” (News on Skydio ending consumer sales and impact on follow-me drone status) thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com
9. Wired – “Snap Kills Off Pixy, Its Flying Selfie Drone” (Background on Snap Pixy’s short-lived run as a follow camera) wired.com
10. Drone Girl – “The best drones for sailing photography” (ActiveTrack vs others explanation, Autel Evo Lite+ follow mode mention) thedronegirl.com thedronegirl.com