Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at DroneDJ, where he covers all drone-related news and writes product reviews. He also contributes to the other sites in the 9to5Mac group such as; 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, and Electrek.
Haye can be reached at haye@dronedj.com or @hayekesteloo
We already reported that drones were being used to stop the virus from spreading, but now DJI published an article that informs us that DJI pledged $1,5M on February 4th and uses DJI Agras T16 drones to fight Coronavirus in China.
Take a look at this latest Israeli-developed counter-drone technology and watch the Drone Dome laser, dubbed Light Blade, take down a number of DJI Phantoms. The video that was uploaded to YouTube today shows a truck-mounted version of Drone Dome, a Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) weapon. The setup includes a search radar, drone-radio command detector, an electro-optical sensor, and a command-and-control system.
The Barnegat Police have started using two new DJI drones, a DJI Matrice 210 and a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise in New Jersey. The unmanned aerial systems were paid for with grant funds available through a New Jersey Division of Highway Safety program.
Check out this video. Was the drone ‘returning to home’ or was it on a drone suicide mission? Without getting into the technicalities of whether an unmanned aircraft can actually perform a suicide mission, this video is ‘terrifying’ indeed, if the UAS was sent to cause harm.
Every year the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) organizes the FAA UAS Symposium. And even though it might not be the sexiest, most flashy event, it is probably the most important event of the year, as it brings together all the policymakers and industry players to talk about the latest developments and regulations in the drone industry.
I’m sure the FAA’s NPRM for Remote ID for Drones and its consequences will be on top of everybody’s mind during this year’s symposium. The FAA UAS Symposium will take place on June 16-18, 2020 at the Baltimore Convention Center. You can register here.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants YOUR input on the Remote ID Proposal.
A recurring theme at the beginning of this year is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) NPRM for Remote ID for Drones. You will find many articles on this topic here on DroneDJ because there are a lot of aspects in these proposed rules that will change your hobby or business and likely not in the way you would appreciate. Here, today, we have DJI’s commenting tips for the FAA’s NPRM for Remote ID for Drones.
We just learned and confirmed through two different sources that today DJI reopens their offices in China and that the company has resumed shipping, after having closed its offices because of the Coronavirus outbreak.
The Alliance for Drone Innovation (ADI) released its Remote ID NPRM Guide for submitting comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Over the last few weeks, we have seen more guides that aim to help drone pilots make sense of the new proposed regulations from the FAA for remote identification for drones. Many drone enthusiasts are concerned that the current proposed rules are too restrictive, costly, and an invasion of the drone pilot’s privacy.
The ongoing ban of Chinese drones divides the US government, reports the New York Times. Recently, the Department of the Interior grounded its entire fleet of drones out of data security concerns. Other government agencies, however, are more concerned about the impact of a possible all-out ban.
New York City Council is pushing to use drones for facade inspections in New York City following a horrific accident last year, when a piece of facade came loose from a building and killed a pedestrian.
Today the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) announces a new coalition to put pressure on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve the Remote ID rule. The AMA states that a recent survey pointed out that almost 70% of the respondents (hobby shops) said that FAA regulations are the biggest threat to the model aircraft industry, and while this may not include the entire drone industry there’s definitely overlap between the two.
We are glad to see the AMA take further action and join us in the fight for a better Remote ID for drones. If you want to learn more about this issue that is a threat to our hobby and business as well I recommend clicking this link here and to download the Drone Advocacy Kit.
The coronavirus may turn out to boost deliveries by drone. The spreading virus and fears of contagion have made it more difficult and costly for companies such as Alibaba to deliver their products to customers. Making such deliveries by drone and thus reducing human contact might offer a solution.
Today we have something exceptional for you! A special offer on the annual Drone U Fly-In Challenge, which takes place on a Netflix movie set just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico on April 4th and 5th. During this two-day event, you will be challenged to show what you can do with your drone. On day one, you will create a video of this Western town based on a specific shot list. On day two, you will be making a detailed 3D map of the entire Netflix studio setup. Of course, as always, experienced flight instructors from the Drone U will be present to help you complete the challenge and to improve your drone flying skills. Sign up with the exclusive DroneDJ link to receive special pricing for this amazing drone event, the Drone U Fly-In. DroneDJ will be there as well, so I hope to see you there!
The drone industry is feeling the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak that started in China a few weeks ago. After we first learned that DJI had closed their offices, we now hear from Zero Zero Robotics who in an email to their customers warned of delays in production and shipping as they were forced to close their offices as well.
Greek commercial drone pilot using a DJI Phantom 4 captured amazing footage of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Florida in the eastern Mediterranean. The photos and video footage that was captured by Kostas Klitsogiannis was used in an article and video by ABC News.
A 9th grader in Williamsville, New York, created a new app that might help save lives. Vidya Shah, 14, developed the award-winning HoverOver app that can help first responders identify people who might be in danger.
On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed new safety standards for specific drones for package deliveries in the Federal Register. The move is seen as a crucial step in allowing routine package deliveries by drones in the not too distant future.
Students fly high in a new drone club at Newton High School in Kansas. It developed out of an interest to get a new class started in the career and technical education program. The drone club was officially started in the fall of last year.
A pilot faces a year in federal prison for flying a drone during Super Bowl week. One year in prison for flying a drone in a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) or No Drone Zone? It is becoming clear that the FBI and the FAA are done issuing warnings and are starting to show their teeth, as they said they would about a week ago.
DJI and DJI’s Livox are likely to benefit from strong growth in the Lidar drone market. The market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.2% from 2020 to 2025 according to this report.
We have heard through the grapevine that the DJI Smart Controller will work with the DJI Matrice 300. Currently, the DJI Smart Controller only works with the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom, DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise series.
As the demand for same-day delivery increases UPS starts to use drones as well as other delivery options to improve service for all customers. Apart from using drones the transportation giant is also looking to extend their hours of operation, expand weekend deliveries and use other innovative technologies such as autonomous ground delivery vehicles.
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