Hate selfie sticks? Just wait. Selfie drones are on their way

Oh, humans. The selfie stick is already on its way to becoming the 8-track tape of digital self-love. So, so 2014.

Across the globe, people are hard at work creating new innovations and breakthroughs in narcissism. Thus, it looks like 2015 could be shaping up as the year of the selfie drone.

The latest entrant into this space is the ELF, a nano drone that is being developed by China’s Elecfreaks. The company has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $20,000, and has already attracted more than $8,000 in just one day.

According to the description:

The ELF is your nanocopter that fits into your pocket and high-definition aerial photo robot that anyone can capture videos and photos from the sky. ELF features both cutting-edge technologies and fully hackable platform, all specifically designed for ease, joyful and affordable piloting experience.

All controlled from your smartphone. Check out the video, with obligatory ukulele and whistling:

While these folks claim they are the first selfie drone, tragically, that’s not quite so. VentureBeat’s Ruth Reader spotted the Zano while at CES. The Zano’s Kickstarter raised $3.41 million toward a goal of only $185,000.

And the good folks at CNET uncovered the Nixie, also at CES. This prototype can be thrown in any direction, takes a picture, and comes right back to you. And then it transforms into the geekiest wearable in the history of nerddom. Honestly, you could dress like a Hobbit and get fewer stares.

In any case, the important thing is that this gives us three selfie drones. And the first thing they teach you in journalism school is that once you have three of anything, you officially have a trend.

So, there you have it. Selfie drones will soon be buzzing around beaches and dinner tables in restaurants and bars where they are likely to provoke confrontations that will generate a whole new genre of viral videos and Vines.

Get psyched!