Active Track or Follow Me? What is the Difference?

Modern drones are equipped with a variety of intelligent features that enhance the user experience and make capturing stunning aerial footage easier than ever before.

Two such features that often confuse users are "Active Track" and "Follow Me." While both functionalities involve tracking a subject, they have different applications and work in distinct ways.

In this blog post, we'll delve into the differences between Active Track and Follow Me, helping you understand when to use each feature for optimal results.

Active Track or Follow Me? What is the Difference?

Active Track: The Dynamic Subject Tracking

Active Track is an advanced feature found in many DJI drones that allows the drone to autonomously track and follow a subject while maintaining visual recognition of that subject. Here's how it works:

Subject Selection:

With Active Track, you can select the subject you want the drone to follow. This is typically done through the drone's app by drawing a box around the subject on the live video feed.

Autonomous Flight:

Once the subject is selected, the drone will autonomously track and follow it by adjusting its position, altitude, and orientation. This is particularly useful for capturing dynamic shots of moving subjects.

Obstacle Avoidance:

Drones equipped with obstacle avoidance sensors can navigate around obstacles while using Active Track, ensuring a safe and smooth tracking experience.

Enhanced Creativity:

Active Track allows for creative shooting angles, perfect for filming action sports, outdoor activities, or any scenario where you want to capture a subject in motion.

Follow Me: The User-Centric Tracking

Follow Me is another tracking feature found in many drones, and it's designed to follow the pilot or the remote controller. Here's how it works:

Pilot-Centric Tracking:

Follow Me tracks the pilot's movements or the remote controller's location. This means the drone follows you, the operator, rather than focusing on a specific subject.

Smoother Selfies and Vlogs:

Follow Me is perfect for capturing smooth, stable shots of yourself during outdoor adventures, vlogs, or other scenarios where you want the focus to be on you.

No Subject Selection Needed:

Unlike Active Track, Follow Me doesn't require selecting a specific subject; it simply follows you or the remote controller.

Hands-Free Operation:

Follow Me is ideal for scenarios where you need a hands-free operation, allowing you to focus on your activity while the drone captures the action from an aerial perspective.

Key Differences

Subject Selection:

Active Track requires selecting a subject for tracking, while Follow Me doesn't require subject selection as it tracks the pilot or the remote controller.

Autonomous vs. User-Centric:

Active Track autonomously tracks and follows a subject, while Follow Me is user-centric, tracking the operator or the remote controller.

Use Cases:

Active Track is suitable for capturing dynamic, moving subjects, while Follow Me is ideal for hands-free, user-centric shots, such as selfies and vlogs.

Conclusion

Active Track and Follow Me are both valuable tracking features in modern drones, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the differences between the two can help you make the right choice for your specific filming needs.

Whether you're capturing action sports, outdoor adventures, or simply documenting your own experiences, these tracking features empower you to capture stunning aerial footage with ease. So, select the one that aligns with your scenario, and elevate your drone videography to new heights.