China

Global drone giant DJI is apparently having some success in opposing draft legislation that would formally prohibit US government agencies from buying its UAVs, according to a report in the Financial Times.

It doesn’t appear the US turbulence that the world’s largest maker of drones has faced for the past year is ending just yet, following a news report alleging DJI received direct funding from China’s state organizations despite its holding structure as a private, independent firm.

It’s officially known as the 1000 Trees building by Thomas Heatherwick’s studio, but the Shanghai shopping center recalls an ancient wonder. Take a drone tour of the “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” building.

Maybe someday we’ll have great 3D models of every interesting building. But this model of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China’s Liaoning Province is a lovely addition to the growing library. If you can’t physically visit the Shenyang Imperial Palace, admire this drone 3D model of a Chinese treasure.

A woman in China has stirred an online frenzy after spending a small fortune to celebrate her dog’s 10^th birthday. This pet lover from central China’s Hunan province dished out a whopping 100,000 yuan ($15,700) to organize a drone light show for her beloved pooch, but local police say the celebration was far from legal.

Taking inspiration from recent moves by US government agencies to blacklist Chinese tech companies – including global drone giant DJI – over potential security concerns, Japan has discreetly nurtured development of a home-grown alternative to UAVs from China that dominate its market – a top-down version of America’s Blue sUAS.

China-based drone delivery specialist Antwork Technology has scooped up a cool $314 million in Series B funding. The fresh capital infusion was led by Thor Capital with participation from existing investor Unity Ventures.

After deadly floods upended life in Western Europe last week, now it’s China that is enduring the wrath of extreme weather. At least 33 people have died in what is being described as the “heaviest rainfall in a millennium” in central China’s Henan province. Drone videos show the extent of the devastation…

Researchers in China revealed that they have developed an automated underwater drone capable of identifying and attacking enemy craft without human input. The first successful trial of the vessel came a decade ago as part of a program blending robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) dating to the 1990s.

Cue the music from Jaws, with maybe a bit of “Ride of the Valkyries” blended in for that Apocalypse Now feel. Because China has developed a two-meter-long military shark drone for deployment in intelligence gathering and anti-submarine warfare activity.

The Communist Party of China (CPC), which has ruled China continuously since 1949, is celebrating its 100^th anniversary. And to commemorate the occasion, 5,200 drones lit up the night sky in Longgang, Shenzhen, last week. The massive drone light show, which should be going down in Guinness World Records, showcased some of the most pivotal chapters from the party’s history.

China’s famous herd of wandering elephants is showing a trend of returning south. We now have new aerial footage that supports a preliminary returning trend. Meanwhile, another drone video released by Chinese authorities shows adorable baby elephants engaging in a playful wrestling match!

The Guangdong province in southern China is witnessing a sudden uptick in COVID-19 cases. For the last three weeks, authorities have been carrying out mass testing and imposing local lockdowns to control the fresh coronavirus outbreak. And stepping up as first responders for relief and control efforts are drones.

The Great Wall of China may be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, but did you know China has been building a Great Green Wall also since the past few decades? And so is Africa? New drone videos spill the beans.

Here’s a Titanic that actually is unsinkable. In landlocked Sichuan province, a full scale replica of the doomed ship is nearly completed in dry dock. Take a drone tour of the new Titanic and see if your heart does go on.

Allegations of US spying off China’s coast rang out after a technologically sophisticated maritime drone turned up in the net of a Chinese fishing ship this month.

According to multiple media reports featuring photos as evidence, the vessel is said to be a Wave Rider autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) manufactured by Boeing affiliate Liquid Robotics. The craft is used by both the US and British Royal Navy.

The development was just what the world needed: another source of tension in already fraught Sino-American relations.

It’s going to be a while before most of us can visit Chongqing. But until that day comes, here’s a drone’s view of a really insane Chinese thrill ride that dominates the region’s Wulong Baima Mountain.

A woman lost in China’s Tianyuan District was found within 20 minutes after a DJI Matrice 300 drone was deployed to help out in the search and rescue mission. The woman, who has intellectual and mental disabilities, was picking tea with her sister when she wandered off and became lost.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that will fast-track Chinese drones being removed from US agencies. The order will require all US agencies using Chinese drones to prioritize removing them from service.

Researchers have managed to use drones to transmit light particles across large distances to transmit information. A team from the Nanjing University in China has transmitted data using drones over a one-kilometer (0.62 miles) distance.