DJI Spark Gesture Control Explained and Demonstrated

To buy DJI Spark: goo.gl/TCReQ8
We explain and demonstrate DJI Spark Gesture Control. You can fly the DJI Spark without a phone or transmitter by using your hands. One gesture moves the drone, one takes photos, one makes it land. It takes a bit of practice, but once you know how to control the Spark with your hand, you may never never want to use a remote control again!

[@readysetdrone]

ANSWER TO MANY QUESTIONS - How do you activate the video with hand gestures? ANSWER FROM DJI SUPPORT - You can't do that at this time. May be added to the software later, but right now, you must have a phone or remote to record video. You can only take photos with hand gestures. Bummer - but thought everyone would like to know.

[@kofuzi]

very important info to know

[@kofuzi]

can you palm launch and then control it with the app? or once it starts with gestures, is it only gestures until the next takeoff?

[@freedom281]

I'm not sure, but I usually see them be turned on in the hand, but you can launch it from the ground with the app, so I see why not launch from hand too?? But I still don't have gotten it... I want DJI to fix it's "childhood diseases" before I buy it... And you can easy say it has a few...

[@letsdo3Dprinting]

Like his shirt!!!! Hahahaha nice vid anyway! Continue to give us technique or guide "how to" on spark.... mine is on its way! Keep safe and happy flying

[@Mohammedsharifsange]

kofuzi you can always grab control through wifi..

[@RADERFPV]

This video demonstrates the coolest feature that any drone can posses - quality time spent with a dad and his son! This is absolutely pricesless, and is worth any and all $ that we all throw into this hobby.

[@readysetdrone]

Agreed 100%! Thanks for the comment!

[@bazzadownunder6117]

Excellent!! Thank you for clarifying mistakes made by other Spark users attempting the hand gestures. I feel better knowing that it actually works. Seriously thinking of buying one. You guys helped.

[@topilot]

Very informative, especially when I just ordered a Spark from Amazon for a special at $349. I already have a Mavic Pro, but wanted a Spark to just mess around with and not have to buy a controller or have to use my iPhone. Your son Tate, did a good job and it is refreshing to have you start him off with a good project. All your videos have been very helpful!

[@BillTheDroneReviewer]

Great video and demo of the hand gestures ! I love how when you son turned his bike the Spark turned as well. Incredible technology !

[@curiosity2314]

Yes, that was a very cool demonstration!

[@simsp4124]

Awesome video. The no-controller and subject-tracking on this makes me think of DJI's "Phantom X Concept" video they put out a year or two ago. They really are stepping up their game even further. Haha man this feels like the future...

[@stevereedy5357]

Great Video guys! I'm waiting for my Spark to arrive. As always Thank you for all the. Inspirational videos.

[@WiscoRider]

Just bought the spark 2 days ago. Too cold to fly in wisconsin at the moment. This video answered all of my questions on gesture mode . I also wanted to know about video while in gesture. Thanks for posting!

[@readysetdrone]

Cool! The Spark is fun and you should be able to fly it indoors if you are careful (I recommend using the prop guards if you fly indoors). Yes - you can do video in gesture mode. When this video was shot back in May 2017, they did not have that option, but now they do. There are some videos out there that show you how to do it! Happy and safe flying!

[@alansavage9656]

Excellent video Kelly & Tate!!

[@gareth5000]

That's a good demo, people are not waiting for it to recognise the gestures.

[@bobavince]

Vroummm vroummm ... great vid 👍👍👍👍👍

[@DebraDukes]

Tate Definitely Awesome Review on the Spark. I have only seen one other person do this and was wondering how this was done.Thanks again for the lesson you definitely did great job on showing me how this is done.Appreciate that very much and definitely enjoyed Deb 👍

[@Kupo9]

Great vid! I have a yuneec breeze, but after seeing the spark being controlled with hand gestures I think I'm gonna have to get one too!

[@chargeriderepeat7024]

Thanks..going to buy one for the gesture control..this was the best vid I found..mainly cos Im doing bike videos..thanks again

[@sarwatahmed3850]

Great Demo young man..!

[@frenchstevenstark]

thanks for the review

[@joshstanding6402]

helpful video, thank you :)

[@randomandhushyproductions7960]

My brothers name is Tate and good vid I now understand gesture modes more on the spark

[@PasvornBoonmark]

Good job!!!! I'm sold. :)

[@Neuguy69]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@scottcooper7097]

Great job, Tate!

[@stephenwilliams02]

very good and great job

[@johanndelafuente]

My question is the spark doing continuous video while you are doing the gestures, just in case you need footage to edit later on? Meaning you can do the gestures then let it video you (like for example making a music video?)

[@endlessaion995]

Unlike other kiddos, this fella did a great job doing the tutorial.

[@readysetdrone]

Thanks!

[@iamnotapoet]

One more question, the think the Mavic 2 and Spark 2 need is collision detection sensors on all sides. When using Auto Follow Me, Drone, Helix etc modes when the drone has to fly backwards and/or sideways, have you found it smart about not doing a Drone/Helix into a wall or tree? Thanks again for the videos. -- Eric ZORK Alan & Sweetie [Professional Poets & Bed Vloggers]

[@edwinnegron7761]

so just to be clear I do not need the controller on? I tried to do this however it did not work. It kept getting disconnected? thank you for your videos. Good job by your son

[@MannyCAM]

When in tracking mode and with the app. Will it record video? Such as when he was bike riding...

[@gordonsnell6735]

Pretty cool, I like the hand jesture thing, that is cool 😊😊😊

[@shaunmadill8866]

Great video. Be nice to see video from the Spark while it follows you on your bike. 👍

[@readysetdrone]

I just found out from DJI support that you can't start video with hand gestures. Boo! But you can always just use your phone to start and stop the video, so it's really not that big of a deal. Thanks for watching!

[@iamnotapoet]

Did DJI tell you they probably would add that. It is pretty ridiculous that it doesn't have preference to record video and doesn't record it by default. I have mine pre-ordered and will use the iPhone all the time... but it is absolutely insane and COUNTER-intuitive that a flying VIDEO camera isn't recording video in this gesture mode. I also read you can't take stills while recording video. On a Mavic that is not so much an issue because you can frame grab 8 Megapixel from the video.... but on the spark you should be able to get video by default and then ALSO get stills. As to the default gesture video, can you ask them HOW LIKELY it is that they will add that? Or is there some technical reason they can't? Last question [for now], Can you start with gesture control and initiate follow mode and then take out phone and Record? Or does the Phone app cancel gesture mode? Thanks for the videos.. -- Eric ZORK Alan & Sweetie [Professional Poets & BED Vloggers]

[@pcbwayseniorengineer4999]

now, it can record video by gesture control now!;)

[@BIGDRONEFLYER77RC]

Hi ya Tate, your kicking some bottom on reviews Lil buddy. Kelly better look out, you have an awesome mini me ready to take over.😉👍thanks guys very awesome job🙌

[@jayk2113]

How fast can it go while auto tracking? Is it as capable as the Mavic Pro in that sense? Your son rode the bike pretty slow I was wondering if it could follow if he were riding at a normal pace? Is the speed limited in auto track mode without the controller?

[@Elcapulove]

Good night and health to everyone. Good Job 👏👏👏👏👏👍🙏

[@plum_392productions3]

nice vid

[@RFTW1ONE]

Great video and even greater Dad for letting his son take major control of the entire video! But I have one question that I have yet to see get discussed. You did finally mention it in this video but is there a way to shoot video using hand gestures and not have to use your phone or remote. To start and stop filming using your hands would be awesome but I don't think it's possible. Let us know!

[@readysetdrone]

So that is a great question - I was not able to figure that out. You could just use your phone to start recording, but that sort of defeats the point of hand gesture control. Trying to figure it out now and will post a video as soon as I figure it out.

[@RFTW1ONE]

Mega flaw if you cant! You need to make it part of your next vid on the Spark. I would get it as a gift for my wife because of the ease of use but, what if there is no phone in the mix and you just want to take a few short family videos and cant do so with its "Hand Gesture" controls, that would prevent me from gifting or getting. Ill stick to my Mavic Pro and Phantom 4. Thanks brother!

[@readysetdrone]

You are correct. I just found out from DJI support that you can't start video with hand gestures. Boo! But you can always just use your phone to start and stop the video, so it's really not that big of a deal. Thanks for watching!

[@toosas]

can you just hit record and continue or do you have to mess around with settings to get it to follow you etc (if you launch it via gesture control)?

[@RFTW1ONE]

I don't think so, there has to be a software update of sorts I believe with a different hand gesture that it will recognize in order to start and stop shooting video. I just don't understand how they haven't yet done so from the get.

[@pamelaluegivans2459]

that the same question I was going to ask ... thanks ready set Drones

[@freedom281]

That was really good hand control, some of the best I have seen. Some complaint over bad control, but they don't give it time for recognition, and move hands way too fast, not understanding, the more precise they do the movements there are programmed into it, the better it do what you want, and you need have a clear idea of what you're doing, and that will come from looking Videos and go try it... Good control there :)

[@lost-with-lennyescapetothe9312]

WOW so quiet where you live :) .. in uk riding on the road is much scarier .... gret vid though well explained thanks..going out now to try it ..

[@jimbrennan2201]

Great video! Question - in follow mode, the Spark looks susceptible to flying into trees etc as it tries to track the target - can you control the aspect from which it follows you? Thanks

[@readysetdrone]

You can "place" it with your palm and then it will track you from that angle. And it does have forward obstacle avoidance. But, like you, I would still worry about it hitting a thin tree branch or power line. So best to do the tracking in the open!

[@jimbrennan2201]

That's great, many thanks for answering - love your channel!

[@dawsonboyle99]

Can you please tell me if there are color profiles and color options

[@marktadena7614]

Thanks for the review, it was very informative, and your review was very thorough. On a full charge, how long would the Spark be able to follow before you would lose power when using Gesture Control? Does it burn battery power faster when in Gesture Control?

[@readysetdrone]

I have been flying the Spark for a month now and I have been getting around 10 -11 minutes of flight time before the battery gets to 20%, which is the point that I land it. I could fly it longer, but it's not good to drain lipo batteries below about 20% of their capacity. Here is a full video about battery life on the Spark. Enjoy and thanks for watching! kzbin.info/www/bejne/en-wdmpmosR9oMk

[@marktadena7614]

Thank you for such a quick response.

[@michaelpakadronermike8146]

Good job.

[@HitmanMJT4]

So have you ran into any issues with no fly zones? Taking off from the palm within so many seconds, doesn't seem to have enough time to lock in gps in my opinion. The mavic alone takes almost a minute for it to lock itself in and if you are in a red zone, you get a can't take off warning. So is the spark different?

[@readysetdrone]

We had it on for about 30 seconds before we took off. Also, you can't go more than about 10' in the air using only hand gestures. If you want to fly higher, you'll need your phone or a transmitter.

[@MrMontone1980]

Cool video guys, I'm torn between the spark and the mavic. How does the spark hold up against the wind?

[@readysetdrone]

Depends on what you want to do with it. If you are a serious photographer or video person than get the Mavic. If you are a casual Instagrammer, then get the Spark. IMHO.

[@MrMontone1980]

Ready Set Drone I live in a place called Tipperary in Ireland. It can get very windy here, would the spark be able to handle the wind or is it too light?

[@colby2150]

Do a video of trying to connect the spark to a phantom controller

[@mohammedawad6806]

Hello, nice video, thanx :) Question: Why is my Spark fly up when i put my hand below it ? I am very happy with my Sparky, hope this can be fixed (by Settings or so..?) again thank you, keep doing the good work..i like it..thanx by advance :)

[@wrestletech1674]

Hi, I have seen a lot of bad reviews concerning the DJI Spark's gesture controls. I would like to get your honest opinion on it. I already preordered one and now some reviewers are just confusing me. So what are your thoughts and opinions concerning gesture control for the drone? Thanks in advance :)

[@readysetdrone]

Gesture control works, but it's not the main way I would fly the drone. Meaning that it's fun to do, but I would not buy a Spark only because of the gesture control. It does much more than that.

[@chrislee7982]

Should we connect to the phone first ?

[@fredguernsey2732]

Just one question, if I may - with gesture control - I realise it has to be enabled in the Go4 app. But every time I re start the Spark, I have to enable the green button as well - is this correct. Thank you.

[@readysetdrone]

Yes, that is correct.

[@fredguernsey2732]

Thank you very much for your reply - the Spark is a great second drone to have for family fun.

[@Themightymoze]

Good job kid!

[@Tootless_Dragon]

My DJI Spark doesnt seem to wanna work when I wave. It keeps loosing my hand. Is there a way this fix this?

[@KimAswani]

Here are 2 new gestures. To record video. Hold up your right hand at 45 degree angle...just like the beacon gesture but only right hand...and it will start recording video....the second gesture is hold one finger up below the sensors while flying in gesture mode and instead on palm land it will land on the ground.

[@1988dirk]

What is the intention of a Follow me mode without a Smartphone/RC if you can't start and stop recording a video? Please update dji!

[@toosas]

Exactly! Basically at the moment it follows you like a dog so you can keep turning around and making that "photo gesture" and then continue which is of very little use to photography. If you intend to do photos you would reposition it make it go up, take a picture, recall, save some battery, move to another location, repeat. Follow in 'photo' mode is just wasting battery.. you cannot even reposition it quickly around you for that perfect angle

[@goriverman]

Your son did pretty good.

[@blitzcrank1459]

so backon and confirm follow is the same gesture?!

[@truenorth365]

Great demonstration, a nifty piece of gadget the Spark is! However, was really looking forward to see how the camera performed/recorded all these hand movements and active track stuff. Otherwise very cool video! (thumbs up)

[@readysetdrone]

So that is a great question - I was not able to figure that out. You could just use your phone to start recording, but that sort of defeats the point of hand gesture control. Trying to figure it out now and will post a video as soon as I figure it out.

[@readysetdrone]

Thanks. I just found out from DJI Support that you can't activate the camera for video with hand gestures...only still images with hand gestures. Bit of a bummer, but easy fix - just have your phone handy to start the video rolling. Thanks for the comment!

[@tctheunbeliever]

Looks kinda like you're training a dog. Do you know if it will follow vertically AND horizontally, e.g. up or down a slope?

[@dawsonboyle99]

tctheunbeliever it should becuase it has bottom cameras and sensors like the mavic and mavic has terrain follow

[@readysetdrone]

Yes, I have not tried it, but it should follow along terrain just fine.

[@Mitch-MD]

Nice demo except you need to stress the LED lights on the drone as a way to know the drone is recognizing and received your command.

[@sibujacob977]

You must ensure that GPS signal is active for the gesture mode to work properly. The front GREEN signal will become active once the face is recognized and the GPS signal is locked . Every video I have seen out there regarding DJI gesture control operation fails to mention this point during activation of the gesture function !!

[@readysetdrone]

Great point!

[@froknowsphoto]

nice

[@readysetdrone]

Thanks Jared!

[@mini-Campers]

5:27 no drone today.... lol nice, enjoyed the video

[@young-k-J]

OK That's why I bought it!!!

[@pewpewpewpew12323]

Can someone tell me some tips for Gesture control? My spark barely understands my commands, especially waving and taking a photo.

[@readysetdrone]

A couple of things to consider - first, make sure that the Spark is far enough away from you (but not too far). I noticed that when it is too close, the gestures won't work. Also, be sure that there is enough light on your hand/face for the sensor to recognize you. If it's too dark, or backlit, the sensor will have trouble seeing you. Finally, be sure that you are doing the gestures for a few seconds, it takes a few seconds for the Spark to recognize what you are doing and respond. Hope that helps!

[@pewpewpewpew12323]

Ready Set Drone Thanks for the tip!

[@Citrus2345]

What if you don't have fingers?

[@chinalamb2605]

my only problem is, SO? I get the gesture controls, but even if it will follow you, it won't record video, all you can do is take a few selfies along the way. I guess they might expand it in later versions of the firmware, but right now, once you've played with the gestures, except for taking family photos or a quick selfie, it's not all that useful.

[@LukaszMedynski]

Last update add gesture to start/stop video rec

[@LikeMyBike]

one question! with gesture control how do you make it record?

[@readysetdrone]

Yeah - I could not figure out how to start the video recording using only hand gestures. It's easy with the phone, but I never used the phone during this demo. Looking into how to do that now.

[@readysetdrone]

I just found out from DJI support that you can't start video with hand gestures. Boo! But you can always just use your phone to start and stop the video, so it's really not that big of a deal. Thanks for watching!

[@LikeMyBike]

Ready Set Drone thanks for taking the time to research this! Do you think that eventually There can be a software update that makes a gesture available to record or this is not possible?

[@nirmalsaindhan]

for how much u brought dji spark

[@Ian_MacGregor]

I hope they have or will come out with a gesture to start and stop video recording. I'm sure you will be able to stat and stop video from your phone when its still in gesture mode, but it would be awesome if you could like do a circle with your hand and it would start a video and then like an X with your arms and it would end it.

[@readysetdrone]

I just found out from DJI support that you can't start video with hand gestures. Boo! But you can always just use your phone to start and stop the video, so it's really not that big of a deal. Thanks for watching!

[@Ian_MacGregor]

Yeah, that's what I figured. I'm still hopeful for that option at some point down the road, but even if it never happens with the spark, its not that much of an inconvenience considering how often people have their phones with them anyway.

[@montoyaman9550]

you need to show how to set up hand control on the phone

[@AnalyzerYT]

Can we record video in gesture mode ?

[@readysetdrone]

No - you need your phone or the remote control to record video.

[@johnnysidik1274]

is it recording when using gesture? this is useless when you can not recording video on follow me mode or tracking mode.

[@mr02gixxer1000]

johnny sidik :the mavic is able to video while following, so I don't see why the spark wouldn't be able to do the same.

[@michalszwed18]

using the phone it can ,no question about it. But in gesture mode with no phone - only photos.

[@readysetdrone]

It can record when following, but you have to use the remote or phone to start rolling the video. Doesn't work with gestures yet.

[@johnnysidik1274]

yes i know it works with rc or phone. my concern is by using only gesture. simplicity is the point. i am interested in spark because of this gesture features. but not only take photo.. it should take video too. maybe dji has to consider this. using gesture just to follow the object is just like a toy for me.. lol.

[@lost-with-lennyescapetothe9312]

and anyone just seeing this like me .. you can now record video by putting your right arm up at 45 degree angle ..

[@TheDroneVoyager]

How much for a Ready Set Drone t-shirt?

[@readysetdrone]

Here you go! shop.spreadshirt.com/readysetdrone

[@3ofakinddrummer]

Cool Video, but you forgot the resulting footage of the drone

[@readysetdrone]

Yeah - I could not figure out how to start the video recording using only hand gestures. It's easy with the phone, but I never used the phone during this demo. Looking into how to do that now.

[@michalszwed18]

No video recording using gesture, for now...

[@frenchstevenstark]

so we cant record a video without the phone ? ...

[@readysetdrone]

Correct.

[@frenchstevenstark]

ok thanks for your answer :)

[@speechlesscmo]

Best review ever 💨

[@RustyShacklefordPocketSand]

Spark reminds me of batteries not included.

[@toosas]

yeah good luck making that photo square with your fingers on a bike.. you should be able to video while following, not just photo - that just reduces functionality

[@nor4277]

Eat beginner drone ever,its pricey ,but worth it

[@MrKn1214]

Too bad you can not shoot video by hand gesture

[@boonjabby]

I would have liked to have seen him ride quicker

[@readysetdrone]

Yeah - the battery ran out before we got to that.

[@huybican4299]

vuuu vuuuu 0:50

[@sanjaygsk]

Check this out for video recording in hand gesture mode kzbin.info/www/bejne/fofXeqV6jdKeZqs

[@studioinfinitys]

he's just talking like reading New scartching

[@post.scriptum]

Unfinished product.

[@3222841]

pedaling scout just like you

[@momy424]

you look so unhappy film in this video like you're being forced to feel it I'm guessing about your daddy sad because you should be happy making this video not being forced to do it like a job nice job dad