Canadian inventor built an umbrella that flies and follows him everywhere automatically: No hands required

A Canadian inventor has gone viral after building a drone-powered flying umbrella that hovers above him and follows his movements automatically, without needing to be held. The device, created by John Tse, appears ordinary at first glance, but beneath the canopy sits a quadcopter-style drone system packed with sensors and onboard computing. Built as a DIY engineering experiment rather than a commercial product, the umbrella is designed to provide rain or sun protection while tracking the user hands-free. Reactions online range from admiration for the ingenuity to scepticism about its real-world practicality.

John Tse’s idea behind the flying umbrella

John Tse is a Canada-based engineer, filmmaker, and maker best known for his YouTube channel I Build Stuff, where he documents experimental projects combining robotics, software, and accessible hardware. The flying umbrella is one of his most ambitious builds, evolving over several years from an early manually controlled prototype into a largely autonomous system.

How the flying umbrella works

At its core, the umbrella functions as a quadcopter drone concealed beneath a standard canopy. Four propellers provide lift and stability, while a lightweight internal frame made from 3D-printed components supports the structure. An onboard computer continuously processes sensor data and communicates with the flight controller, allowing the umbrella to adjust its position in real time and stay centred above the user.

Rather than relying only on GPS, the system uses depth-sensing and proximity technology to identify and follow the person below. A time-of-flight depth camera mounted underneath creates a three-dimensional map of the user’s position. This enables the umbrella to follow at walking speed while maintaining a safe vertical distance, keeping fast-spinning propellers well above head height.

What sets it apart from earlier versions

An earlier iteration of the project required manual remote control, which limited its usefulness. The latest version operates autonomously, removing the need for constant steering or adjustment. Achieving this required months of trial and error, including tuning flight stability, reducing vibration, and rewriting tracking software after multiple failed attempts.

Despite its impressive engineering, the flying umbrella remains a prototype. Battery life is limited, typically lasting 10 to 15 minutes per charge, similar to small consumer drones. Wind can affect stability, and heavy sideways rain reduces coverage. For safety reasons, the system is programmed to hover several metres above the user to minimise risk.

Public reaction and what it represents

Short clips of the umbrella spread rapidly on X and other platforms, drawing praise for creativity alongside doubts about everyday usefulness. While some see it as a glimpse of future personal robotics, others view it as a novelty best suited for experimentation. The umbrella is not for sale and is not intended to replace conventional designs, but it highlights how DIY robotics and consumer drone technology now allow individual creators to build autonomous machines that once belonged only in research labs.