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The Lily Camera became a high-profile hardware preorder after a viral video promised a waterproof drone that could follow its owner and land in their hand. More than 60,000 customers placed orders worth about $34 million, but the product never shipped. Lily Robotics cited delays and a lack of financing; the San Francisco District Attorney later alleged deceptive advertising and improper handling of preorder money. The company shut down, entered bankruptcy, and sold its assets, but the public record summarized below does not establish that every customer received a refund.
What Lily promised—and why the video caught on
Lily Robotics marketed its camera as a waterproof, autonomous flying camera designed to be simple to use. The advertised experience was “throw-and-go”: toss the drone into the air, let it follow or lead you using a wearable tracker, record aerial video, and have it return to land in your hand.
That pitch made aerial footage sound accessible without requiring a pilot to control the drone. The promotional video helped the idea spread: more than 30 million people had viewed it by the end of 2015. Lily offered the camera at prices of roughly $499 to $899, according to the San Francisco complaint summary.
How many people preordered the Lily Camera?
Contemporaneous 2017 reports put Lily’s preorder sales at about $34 million for more than 60,000 units. VentureBeat described the total as more than $34 million from at least 60,000 customers; Courthouse News Service reported about $34 million in sales for more than 60,000 units. These were preorders, not sales of delivered cameras: the complaint summary said no unit had shipped when the legal action was filed.
#1 Best Overall
- Screen Controller, No Phone Needed: This drone comes with a 4.5-inch remote controller with a built-in screen, making connection simple and convenient. No smartphone connection or app download is required, allowing you to fly and view real-time footage directly on the controller. Without distractions from incoming calls, messages, or notifications, you can enjoy an immersive flying experience. The all-in-one design also reduces reliance on mobile devices.
- 4K UHD Camera with FPV Transmission: This 4K drone features a 90° adjustable lens, allowing for flexible adjustment of the shooting angle during flight. Combined with FPV real-time video transmission, it delivers a clear and intuitive flight perspective and shooting experience. It also boasts altitude hold and stable hovering capabilities, making flight smoother. Not only is it suitable for aerial photography, but it can also be used for inspecting hard-to-reach areas such as rooftops, exterior walls, and drainage ditches.
- GPS Auto Return Safety Flight: Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, this drone adapts to different flying scenarios. When flying outdoors in GPS positioning mode, it supports three return-to-home modes: one-click return-to-home, low battery return-to-home, and automatic return-to-home upon signal loss, effectively reducing the risk of loss and allowing you to fly with peace of mind. In indoor environments, you can switch to optical flow mode for stable hovering and precise positioning.
- All-in-One Beginner Drone: Equipped with a brushless motor for greater efficiency, lower noise, and longer service life. It includes multiple functions such as one-key takeoff/landing, headless mode, auto return, tap fly, point of interest, waypoint fly, 3 speed modes, and gesture photography. It is great for beginners who want to learn more advanced drone functions step by step, and also makes a great gift for family, friends, and drone lovers.
- 60 Mins Flight Time Dual Batteries: This drone is equipped with two 7.4-volt 1600mAh rechargeable batteries, providing a total of approximately 60 minutes of flight time. This effectively reduces charging time, giving you more time to fly and shoot.Weighing under 249g, this foldable and portable drone saves you from complex FAA registration requirements, and is ideal for travel, camping, hiking, outdoor adventures, and everyday fun.
Why did Lily keep delaying delivery?
The first delay
In a December 2015 update, Lily said it was moving shipments to summer 2016 so it could work on flight-software optimization, hardware improvements, and additional testing. The company also said it had secured $15 million in private funding and that preorder dollars were being held in “cold storage.”
Another missed date, then a funding shortfall
Delivery later moved from summer 2016 to early 2017. In January 2017, Lily said it had been unable to raise the additional financing needed to unlock manufacturing and ship the cameras. It announced that it would wind down and automatically refund preorder customers.
Rank #2
- The PK01 drone's remote comes with a super handy built-in screen—no phone needed—so you can watch live HD footage and check flight stats right in your hands. (An SD card is required to save images and videos; not included) Powered by tough brushless motors, this little flyer is strong, smooth, and built to last. With one-key takeoff/landing, headless mode, and even 360° flips, you’ll look like a pro in no time. Ready for takeoff?🤩
- 📷【Drone with Camera】 Equipped with a 1080P HD 80°adjustable lens, the drone not only assists you in catching every wonderful moment from a bird's-eye perspective but is also perfect for selfies. It can even be used to check the roof of a house or other hard-to-reach areas. You can enjoy the real-time HD pictures and videos via the remote screen & APP. Automatically take photos/videos with gestures. First flight tip: choose a windless indoor space, keep the altitude below 6 meters and the distance below 30 meters to help better practice and control the drone.
- 🕹️【More Fun to Fly】 This foldable drone has 2 control modes: remote control, APP control. You can enjoy exciting features such as one-click 360° flips, 3D flip, waypoint flyflight, gravity control, circle fly, rotation fly, 3 speed gear, gravity sensing and Emergency Stop. (Some functions should be controlled by the app) You can also effortlessly command the remote control drone with simple voice instructions like "Take off"and more.
- 🔋【Long Flying Time and Safer】 The upgraded FPV drone is equipped with two enhanced batteries, extending the flight time to 25 minutes, providing no-worry flying experience. The controller has built-in battery and comes with 2pcs USB charging cable, enables you to charge it effortlessly. Features with emergency stop, 4 propeller guards, child lock feature and low power alarm to ensure a safe and reliable flight. PK01 is lightweight, portable and No FAA Registration needed, makes it a ideal drone for indoor and outdoor activities.
- 📲【How to Connect Your Phone】1.Power off the remote controller. 2. Turn on the drone. Note: Make sure the tail of the drone is facing towards you. 3. Download and log in to the "PK01 DRONE" app. 4. Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network named "PK01DRONE_XXXXXX" via the app. 5. Move the left and right joysticks of the remote control to the lower left or lower right 45 degrees at the same time. The drone light flashes and then turns on, completing horizontal calibration. 6. Enter the app control interface, tap the "Control Switch" icon, and then select "Take Off" for a successful launch.
The distinction matters: a promised ship date and a refund announcement are not proof that a camera was manufactured or that a refund reached every buyer. The complaint summary said no unit had shipped at the time the action was filed, and the available account of the shutdown does not establish that all customers ultimately received their money.
What did the lawsuit allege?
The San Francisco District Attorney sued Lily Robotics over alleged false advertising and unfair business practices. Among the allegations: the launch video’s point-of-view footage had been filmed using a DJI Inspire rather than a Lily drone, and Lily had not complied with consumer-protection requirements after shipment dates slipped substantially. These are allegations from the legal action, not findings that should be treated as independently proven by the complaint alone.
Rank #3
- Powerful Brushless Motor Quadcopter: G5 foldable drone features high-performance brushless motors for enhanced power, reduced noise, and extended lifespan. This quadcopter delivers responsive, stable flight for reliable performance
- 1080P HD Camera & WIFI FPV Transmission: Drone with camera captures brilliant 1080P HD aerial photos and videos. The 90 adjustable lens lets you find the shooting angle remotely. WIFI FPV streams real-time live footage for an immersive first-person flying experience
- Smart Flight Modes: One-key takeoff/landing gets you airborne in seconds. Enjoy headless mode, 3-speed adjustment, stable hover, and optical flow positioning. Pull off 3D flips and 360 flips to expand your possibilities
- Built-in Rechargeable Battery: 2.8 inch LCD screen on the remote displays FPV footage directly. The built-in rechargeable battery means you never buy disposable batteries - just charge via Type-C and fly again
- Foldable Portable Design for Travel: Lightweight foldable drone is easy to carry anywhere. Compact portable design fits in your bag or pocket. Capture stunning aerial views on every adventure. (Micro SD card not included, please prepare separately.)
A court memorandum seeking a restraining order said Lily used a “false and misleading promotional video” to obtain more than $34 million in preorder sales. It also addressed Lily’s statements that preorder money remained untouched in “cold storage.” A witness cited in the filing said some of the money had been used as collateral for a $4 million loan. That account, too, is an allegation recorded in court documents, not a standalone judicial finding that resolves every question about the money.
Contemporaneous reporting also quoted a complaint excerpt attributing this sentence to co-founder Antoine Balaresque: “I don’t know much about lenses but I think we should be extremely careful if we decide to lie publicly.” The statement was presented as an allegation drawn from the court record; it should not be confused with a court’s independent determination of what happened.
Rank #4
- 【Ultimate Fusion: 4K HD Camera, Image Stabilization, and FPV】This drone with camera features a 130° wide-angle 4K lens and 90° adjustable view, ensuring every moment is captured in high definition. With smooth FPV transmission, it’s ideal for drones for kids and adults, providing an immersive flight experience.
- 【Brushless Drones: Stability, Efficiency, Wind Resistance】Compared to brushed models, brushless drones with camera for adults 4k offer longer lifespan and greater stability, using less power. They eliminate overheating issues and excel in high-speed conditions while resisting wind for stable flights.
- 【Experience Unmatched Safety】Designed with safety in mind, this drone for kids features a child lock to prevent accidental takeoffs and propeller guards for safe indoor flying. The Anti-Lost Alarm activates after 10 minutes of inactivity, and low battery alerts plus an emergency stop function help avoid accidents.
- 【Dual-Battery Upgrade: Longer Flight, More Portable】The mini drone offers up to 28 minutes of flight time with its dual enhanced batteries. It charges quickly with USB 3.0 technology, and its foldable design plus storage box make it portable. Safety features like Overcharge and Short Circuit Protection give peace of mind during use.
- 【Ultra-lightweight, No FAA or Remote ID Registration Required】The PLEGBLE PL516 is a drone with camera 4k, weighing under 250 grams, making it exempt from FAA or remote ID registration. This drones for kids and adults is perfect for hassle-free flying in the U.S., capturing stunning shots without the need for complicated registration.
When did Lily shut down, and what happened to the company?
- January 11, 2017: Lily announced it would shut down and automatically refund preorder customers.
- February 27, 2017: Lily Robotics filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Its filing described a plan to liquidate operations, refund customer deposits, and sell intellectual-property assets.
- June 20, 2017: The bankruptcy court approved a sale of substantially all assets to Mota Group. The Lily Robotics name was transferred, and the debtor changed its name to Drone LC, Inc.
Chapter 11 and a stated refund plan describe what the company sought to do through the bankruptcy process; they do not, by themselves, confirm how much each customer recovered.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was Lily Next-Gen the same drone, and is it available now?
On October 4, 2017, Mota Group announced Lily Next-Gen as a smaller 4K follow-me camera drone. The announcement also offered a stock incentive program to original Lily customers who placed qualifying orders. It documents an attempted successor and customer-recovery strategy, not proof that the original Lily Camera shipped, that the successor reached ordinary retail, or that the incentive program remains active. The 2017 announcement does not establish current retail availability.
Best Value
- 【2K Ultra HD Camera with Adjustable Angle】Capture stunning aerial footage with the 2K HD camera (90° remotely adjustable angle), perfect for scenic landscapes or family moments. Enjoy real-time FPV transmission to your smartphone via Wi-Fi, and instantly share your adventures on social media with just one tap!
- 【Smart & Stable Flight Controls】Take off and land effortlessly with one-key control, while Altitude Hold ensures steady hovering for smooth shots. The upgraded Optical Flow Positioning enhances flight stability, and Headless Mode + Gravity Sensing make steering intuitive—simply tilt the controller to fly in any direction!
- 【Ultra-Portable & Travel-Friendly】Weighing under 250g (FAA registration-free) and folding down to just 5 x 3 x 2 inches, this mini drone fits in your pocket or backpack. Take it anywhere—whether hiking, traveling, or exploring—and never miss an epic aerial shot!
- 【Double Flight Time & Safety Features】Includes 2 rechargeable batteries (20 mins total runtime) with low-voltage alerts and overcharge protection. Propeller guards and spare blades prevent damage, while the ergonomic remote ensures precise control for beginners and experts alike.
- 【Perfect Gift with Premium Support】Loiley mini drone with a camera makes for a cool and creative gift. The package includes a travel bag, spare parts, and 24/7 technical support. Backed by a quality warranty, Accessories Supply services are provided for customer satisfaction—just fly, film, and enjoy!
Was the Lily Camera a scam?
The facts support a more careful answer than a simple label. Lily took substantial preorder payments for a product that did not ship, and the San Francisco District Attorney alleged deceptive marketing and mishandling of preorder funds. Lily itself said it could not secure the financing needed to manufacture the camera and announced refunds. Those points explain why the episode drew legal scrutiny and left customers exposed. They do not justify turning every allegation into a proven fact or claiming, without evidence, that every customer was defrauded or refunded.
What to check before trusting a hardware preorder
Lily’s story shows why a polished demonstration and a compelling product idea are not the same as evidence of manufacturing readiness. For any hardware preorder, look for concrete answers to these questions:
Quick Recap
- Can the demonstration be independently verified? Ask whether the footage shows the actual product operating, rather than a separate camera or production setup.
- Is there a working prototype? A clear demonstration of a functioning prototype is stronger evidence than concept visuals or promises about planned features.
- What protects preorder money? Check the payment terms, refund process, and what the company says happens to customer funds if production is delayed or canceled.
- Is manufacturing funded and ready? A prototype does not establish that a company has the financing, suppliers, or production capacity to fulfill thousands of orders.
- How much have delivery dates moved? Repeated changes deserve scrutiny, particularly when the company gives no verifiable account of what remains before shipment.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
