Hey FPV Enthusiasts,
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about Orqa’s digital system, and the wait has left many of us curious. To clear the air, Srdjan Kovacevic, the CEO of Orqa, recently shared some insights that we think are worth diving into. Here’s the scoop on what’s been going on behind the scenes at Orqa.
The Digital FPV Challenge
Orqa has always been about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in FPV. However, the digital FPV landscape has evolved dramatically. The benchmark set by DJI’s technology is incredibly high, making it tough to keep up. Srdjan openly acknowledges this, giving credit to DJI for their groundbreaking work. Their latest digital video system is practically magic, offering image quality and link robustness that many of us only dreamed of. As a tech startup, Orqa finds itself in awe of DJI’s engineering feats.
To compete at this level, Orqa realizes they need custom silicon – a challenging and costly endeavor. But those familiar with Orqa know they thrive on tackling tough problems.
A Crowded Digital FPV Market
The digital FPV market is more crowded now than when Orqa began their journey. Competing as the second-best option doesn’t make economic sense anymore. Orqa has always been about compatibility, reaching out to support other digital FPV solutions within their FPV.One goggles. Unfortunately, the market has shifted away from this collaborative spirit. Despite this, Orqa remains open to collaborations, emphasizing that their promise of “future-proof” technology still holds true.
Orqa’s DTRx – The Road Ahead
Orqa is still working on their own digital video solution, the DTRx, but the first generation might not be competitive in the consumer segment. It’s likely to debut as an enterprise datalink rather than a consumer product, due to its higher cost compared to DJI’s offerings. However, Orqa is exploring several promising avenues, though they’re keeping those plans under wraps until they’re ready to ship.
Expanding Horizons Beyond Consumer FPV
Orqa hasn’t abandoned the consumer FPV market. They’ve been building a broad technology foundation to support the Western drone ecosystem. Orqa has grown into a full-stack drone technology company, doubling in revenue and size almost every year. To sustain this growth, they’ve expanded their focus beyond consumer products to technologies that empower enterprise, public safety, and defense markets.
The harsh reality is that the consumer FPV market alone doesn’t generate enough revenue to fund significant R&D. DJI’s advancements in FPV technology were backed by their success in selling millions of consumer drones. To continue investing in FPV, Orqa needs to diversify their revenue streams.
The Future of Analog and FPV Racing
Despite the digital shift, Orqa believes analog still has a place in FPV. They remain committed to delivering top-notch analog video systems, with RapidFire being a prime example of their excellence. Orqa is also dedicated to FPV racing, acknowledging the community’s love for Open Source solutions. They’re listening and planning the next generation of LapRF.
FPV for Everyone
Orqa is passionate about making FPV safer and more accessible. They’re proud of their efforts in STEM education, bringing FPV to over 500 schools in Croatia. This initiative aims to spread the love for flying and grow the hobby across Europe and the United States.
Orqa’s Commitment
Orqa is still here, dedicated to building the best FPV technology in the heart of Europe. Their journey is one of perseverance, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Fly safe and stay tuned for more from Orqa.
Happy flying!