The French company Parrot has been making a name for itself in the genre of remote control drones and copters for awhile now, and according to a new report from Hexus.net, that name is only going to reach higher levels of notoriety this year.

Parrot has announced a new wireless, remote control device called the “Bebop Drone,” which users will be able to control using apps on their tablets or smartphones. By downloading a free app called FreeFlight 3.0 – available on both Android and iOS – users will be able to pilot the Bebop Drone using touch screen controls like it is part of a mobile gaming experience. The device will also offer a physical control set up, which will attach to a user’s mobile device and allow them to control the drone with joysticks.

However, the controls are not even the most notable thing about the Bebop Drone. That title goes to the camera, a high-definition system meant to give users a full 180-degree “fish eye” view of the world. While announcing the new drone, Parrot Founder and CEO Henri Seydoux said that his company wanted to give customers an experience similar to that of a flying bird or insect. The HD camera, which films in full resolution MP4 video and captures photographs with a 13 megapixel lens, will provide that type of jaw-dropping visual experience.

Since the drone will be controlled by Wi-Fi, its range will still be somewhat limited at 1,000 feet. An additional accessory called the “Skycontroller,” however, can give the drone a 1.2 mile reach. Users can design flight paths for the Bebob Drone, as well as program it to return to its starting point – both functions that will help prevent it from going outside of the flight range.

So far, Parrot has not announced a release date on a market price for the Bebop Drone.

Photo Credit: YouTube/Parrot