After a devastating drop in sales of nearly 40 percent, GoPro is back in the spotlight with a release of the previously recalled Karma Drone. Less than four months after the recall, the Karma is back on the market with limited shipments. This comes at a time where GoPro is attempted to challenge DJI, maker of the Phantom and Inspire.
According to the companies quarterly release, sales dropped from $400 million to $240.5 million. According to the Verge, CEO Nick Woodman said the production problem leading to issues with an early release of the Karma drone and Hero 5 may be the underlying factor for the low third quarter sales. This all occurred just a little over a year from the press release of the Karma during the Code Conference in the summer of 2015.
Image Courtesy of GoPro Investor Information
While there was no reported injuries from the faulty units, the company recalled 2,500 Karma drones since October 23rd. According to GoPro only a small number of units lost power during option, however the recall was for any Karma sold, regardless of location. "GoPro attributed the problem to a fault in the design of the latch that holds the drone’s battery in place. This led to loose battery connections that caused several drones to power down while in the sky, resulting in some spectacular crashes. The company says the updated Karma drones have a redesigned battery latch that went through 'extensive testing' that should prevent future failures," according the Verge.
Image Courtesy of Verge
While Woodman is optimistic about the re-release of the Karma, there is still some ongoing debate on how well the company is expected to fair. In November, 15 percent of the companies' workforce had been laid off following the recall. One begins to wonder if the reasoning behind limiting the amount of units shipped is due to the fear of having to recall again, this time in less quantities. Heres to hoping that the Karma will find itself high in the skies and battery packs tightly secured.
[via The Verge]
in all honesty, DJI is too far ahead for GoPro to catch up now, especially after the fist Karma flop. Gallant effort, but they probably need to hang it up. :)
I'll buy electronics from a Western company over a Chinese one every time. Good luck to Go Pro.
While I understand your sentiment, DJI, the most prominent drone manufacture is Chinese. Also, most of your electronics at home and the workplace are Chinese made.
Big difference between a Western company assembling things in China and a Chinese company doing likewise.
Who would actually be excited about this new release and where would their comparative advantage be? DJI is already way ahead of the drone industry. Why pick up a Karma when the DJI Mavic beats it in every way?