Canadian engineer, YouTuber and inventor behind “I Build Stuff” John Tse has revealed Flying Umbrella 2.0 — a fully autonomous, drone-powered umbrella that follows the user while suspended in the air without physical contact.
Demonstrating his autonomous flying umbrella, a drone-powered prototype with quadcopter propellers, depth-sensing camera, and onboard computing that hovers overhead and tracks the user hands-free in the rain.
In the 10-second clip, Tse stands smiling and gesturing on a wet outdoor court as the yellow-and-black device autonomously follows him, keeping him dry without needing to hold anything.
Tse, from the “I Build Stuff” YouTube channel, upgraded an earlier remote-controlled version using computer vision and a Raspberry Pi for reliable 3D tracking, turning a long-term DIY project into a viral practical innovation.
Canadian engineer John Tse, known for his I Build Stuff YouTube Channel, created a fully autonomous “Flying Umbrella 2.0”. It replaces the need to hold an umbrella by using built-in quadcopter propellers to hover and follow you as you walk.
How It Works
- Quadcopter Propellers: Four drone motors are hidden directly under the umbrella canopy.
- Depth-Sensing Cameras: A Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera mounted under the device maps the user’s position in 3D in real-time.
- Onboard Computer: A Raspberry Pi processes the camera data and continuously sends instructions to the flight controller, allowing the device to stay centered above your head.
- Carbon Fiber Arms: Custom folding arms tuck away when the umbrella is not in use, and lock into place for stable flight.
Current Limitations
- Battery Life: The device currently flies for only 10 to 15 minutes on a single battery charge.
- Weather & Wind: High winds and strong gusts disrupt its stability. Additionally, propeller downwash (the air pushed down by the rotors) can sometimes blow rain or mist downward onto the user.
- Availability: This is an experimental, do-it-yourself (DIY) research project. It is not available to purchase as a commercial consumer product.