Japanese Company Developing A Hands-Free Sun Shade

A Japanese company is developing an umbrella that would be supported by a drone rather than a traditional vertical shaft.

Called the "Free Parasol", the device is being designed for use on golf courses with a projected launch date of 2019, according to a report from Popular Mechanics. The device weighs 11 pounds, and can hover over its user for about 20 minutes on a full charge.

The Free Parasol is designed to provide protection from the sun rather than the rain, though developer Asahi Power Service is reportedly working on a waterproof model. The device uses AI technology to hover over its users head and follow him or her as they walk tracked either by an onboard camera or real-time position tracking, according to the Chinese news outlet CGTN.

It's going to be pricey for a sun shade. The Free Parasol is expected to cost about $237.

There are also regulatory hurdles to be cleared. Tight drone regulations in Japan mean that the Free Parasol will have to be tested indoors. But Asahi Power Services CEO is optimistic about the future for the device. "We'll proceed with development of the drone umbrella with hopes that one day, it'll be a common sight in city streets," he said.

The company hopes that improving battery technology will soon give the Free Parasol a flight time of about a hour.

(Image provided by Asahi Power Service Co.)

FMI: Original report, Original report