Does gesture mode work for you guys?

0v3rrid3 · Jun 3, 2018

I got my spark couple of days ago and I performed couple of test flights and everything is fine especially sport mode is lot of fun. But as I am long time P3 pilot "normal flight" is nothing new for me so what was interesting to me is gesture mode but I simply can't get it to work. Only thing that I menaged to do is palm launch and land, palm control works maybe 40% of the time. Taking picture, start video recording or waving to go back and up do not work at all. Do I missing something or it simply doesn't work as it should?

Ripitup · Jun 3, 2018

Watch the DJI promo video V youtube videos for fantasy V reality.

DameEdnaBrown · Jun 4, 2018

Only good for hand launch

lasorey · Jun 4, 2018

Make a fist

maumau · Jun 4, 2018

DameEdnaBrown said:
Only good for hand launch

Even for hand launch its more convenient to do without[emoji1]

John MacAulay · Jun 4, 2018

My personal opinion, it's just a novelty thing. If there is only you in a wide open space with no distraction for the spark, it will do a few things if you practice the perfect positioning. Otherwise, not very practical for everyday use.

0v3rrid3 · Jun 4, 2018

Thank you guys, I didn't buy spark for this nor this is something that is highly necessary for me but it would be cool for quick shot for group of people.

perrylawrence · Jun 7, 2018

It’s all about the background and how you (the foreground) contrast with it.

Me on concrete sidewalk? Nope.

Me in front of dark trees? Yep.

Next time you are having trouble, try switching to a more contrasting area. Or wear a different shirt.

Bottom line is, Spark has to make out you vs everything else.

Tafische · Jul 6, 2018

I know it is somewhat of a gimmick, but I find it kinda cool. Only gesture I am having difficulty with is getting it to raise up and track (with the wave). I find it is best if you lower your hands quickly and let the lights turn yellow...then do a wave. It appears to be mainly getting this distance from your hand to the camera right.

I have a bunch of kids on my cove and they really want to use my drone control.....um, sorry love ya but nope. BUT - I let them hand gesture fly and do follow me and they love it. I monitor with my remote and if they get too close to a tree or something I can quickly take over.

Northwood Mediaworks · Jul 6, 2018

Did a palm landing the other day for the first time. Very useful.

Speedmeister · Jul 7, 2018

I just did a firmware update. My palm launch dont work anymore.

Ladydrone · Jul 7, 2018

I really Like Gesture mode - does it work all the time - well no - the key to it working is it has to see you - sometimes it needs to see a face - sometimes it needs to see a hand - sometimes it needs to see all of you. So to the best of my knowledge here are some tips please feel to comment if you think I am wrong.

Take off - Drone at eye level - LEDs should be solid Red - double click - watch for gimbal to find your face - LEDS are blinking Yellow - arm length or little less is good to far and too close is bad. Glasses may be an issue - reflections I think are the issue - so if it does not work with glasses try with them off or different pair. - If the LEDs blink Red then you may have to redo the double click because face recognition has failed. Soild Green means it has found you and is ready for take off. Once props start turning LEDs will turn Solid Red - Once it takes off from your hand you are in Gesture mode.

Hand Control - watch the camera - it needs to see you and then your hand. Stand straight in front not to side. Raise hand move in and out till lights turn solid Green (little less then a yard) - As long as lights are solid Green Spark will follow your hand up and down left and right - move slow and deliberate for best results.

Follow (or fly up and away) - This can be the most challenging to get to work. - Stand in front of drone - I like make sure I am the right distance but going into hand control first once that is working drop your hand to your side wait for lights to go solid Red. Now bring your hand up like you want to regain hand control but instead move your hand back and forth - left to right - like you are cleaning a pane of glass - do this for about the two seconds and drop your hand. If the LEDs start blinking Green it recognized the command and will fly up and away about 8 ft up and 10 ft away. Do not move until the Spark has moved back and stops and hovers. - LEDs should now be solid Green and you are now in follow me mode. Note that take a picture and start video will not work unless it is in follow me mode. The Spark should follow you in this mode - if for some reason it looses sight of you it will stop - get in front of camera about 10 ft away and raises your arms in a "Y" the should if lucky restart the follow mode.

Take a Picture - First make sure the Spark is following you - Next stand between 10 and 20 feet from from camera (manual says 23 ft) - make and "itsy bitsy spider" move and hold it ( a picture frame as they call it) LEDs will start to blink RED slowly this means it is going to take a picture after 3 seconds - right before it takes the LEDs blink RED fast.

Record a Video - Again make sure Spark is following you - To get recording to work manual says you need to be about 6 ft away - I think it works fine at 10 ft also - but to be safe get about 6 ft way rise your right hand like you are pointing at a fly ball come at you from the side. The LEDs should start blinking slowly to indicate it has recognized the command. You can not drop your arm and the Spark should be following you and recording you. To stop recording point at the fly ball again.

Beckon ( Come Hither) - To bring the drone back to you also requires that is tracking you first. It does not give a range but I think it works between 6 and 20 ft. May a "Y" and hold for two seconds - then drop your hands if command is recognized the Spark should move to about 5 ft high and 3 feet away approximately.

Hand Landing - You have to have the drone within arms reach - get in front of camera so that it can see your face. Look for the camera to find your face - if it is not looking at you it will not palm land. Once it sees you place your palm up directly under the drone wait a few seconds and the drone should start to descend. If it does not descend it is not seeing your face. Move until you can tell it is looking at your face and try again.

Additional comments and tips.

1. Like someone side it needs to be able to tell the difference between you and the background. So make sure you and the background are not the same color or darkness or brightness - Contrast - The Spark does not have the good of eyesight so help her out.

2. I tend to take off and land in Gesture mode all the time - But I do other things inbetween - So after talking of I go to the controller symbol and take the Spark out of Gesture mode - that prevents conflicts with other modes I may want to use. When I land it - I change back to gesture mode.

3. Practice makes perfect. Once you get one gesture to work repeat it several times in different locations until it works pretty consistently - then move to next gesture.

4. If it is not working for you try someone else - I have also noticed that hand size may affect how it works larger hands may need to be further back then smaller hands.

Good Luck!