Skydio

How fast can a drone respond to a 911 call? In some departments, the answer is under 60 seconds, and the software making that possible just passed 10 million processed calls.

In a major vote on Tuesday, the Board of Police Commissioners in Los Angeles unanimously approved a private donation that could send as much as $4 million to US drone maker Skydio.

Skydio has announced two new drones — the R10 and F10 — aimed at transforming how first responders, infrastructure operators, and defense teams carry out missions. One drone is built for navigating tight indoor spaces, while the other offers fixed-wing speed and endurance designed for rural and long-range operations. Together, they signal a major expansion of Skydio’s vision for autonomous aerial intelligence.

California-based drone maker Skydio has delivered its first batch of X10D drones to a deploying US Army unit as part of Tranche 2 of the Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program. The company announced that hundreds of its drones were shipped within just five days of receiving the order — an urgent request from a unit preparing for imminent deployment.

China has dropped the hammer on 11 US-based drone manufacturers — including Skydio, BRINC Drones, and Boeing-owned Insitu — by placing them on its “unreliable entity” list, a move that subjects these companies to sweeping trade sanctions and export restrictions.

US drone maker Skydio is making its flagship military drone, the X10D, even more versatile. The company has released its Interface Control Document (ICD), allowing third-party developers to create new payload attachments for the drone. This means military and defense agencies can now customize Skydio’s drones for even more mission-critical tasks.

Spain’s Ministry of Defense announced this week that it has chosen the US drone manufacturer Skydio and its X10 drone to supply its military for UAV operations. The value of the contract is €18 million ($18.7 million).

Skydio has rolled out a critical update for its X10 and X10D drones, tackling a rare but serious power loss issue that could occur mid-flight. The update, which applies to the drone, controller, and batteries, ensures safer and more reliable operations — but there’s a catch: you can’t fly unless all your batteries are updated!

US drone maker Skydio has unveiled the nation’s first comprehensive study on Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations, shedding light on how drones are transforming public safety. The study analyzed 1,779 flights across various jurisdictions — from bustling metropolitan areas to quiet rural counties — between September 15 and November 14, 2024. The findings highlight the pivotal role drones play in enhancing law enforcement efficiency, ensuring officer and community safety, and providing critical situational awareness.

Geopolitical tensions are redefining global markets, with drones emerging as a focal point of strategic competition. Manufacturers in China have begun limiting the export of key drone components to the US and Europe, signaling a significant shift in global supply chains. These changes could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the drone industry at large.

Remote ID technology provider Dronetag is offering an incredible Black Friday promotion on its best-selling Dronetag Beacon. For two weeks only, the Dronetag Beacon is available for just $149 — over 30% off its regular price.

GoPro has sold a substantial portfolio of drone-related patents to Skydio, the largest US-based drone manufacturer. This patent deal represents a calculated step amid recent financial and operational hurdles for both companies.

In a note to customers made public through the company’s blog, Skydio CEO Adam Bry announced the need to ration batteries in the wake of Chinese sanctions he says are focused on “eliminating the leading American drone company and deepening the world’s dependence on Chinese drone suppliers.”

Skydio has rolled out a feature-rich software update for its X10 drone, offering a range of new capabilities and improvements aimed at enhancing inspections, mapping, and public safety operations. With version 37.1.166, the Skydio X10 is now armed with more tools for faster and more reliable data capture.

Drone manufacturer Skydio has launched DFR Command, a software solution that aims to simplify how public safety agencies deploy drones in emergency situations. According to the company, it’s the world’s first software solution built to start, operate, and grow Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs.

US drone maker Skydio has announced its latest product, Dock for X10. The new docking station allows Skydio’s X10 drones to be stationed anywhere, anytime, enhancing their autonomy and scalability.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has secured an exciting new waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It gives NYPA operators the unprecedented ability to conduct fully remote drone inspections without requiring a pilot or observer to maintain visual contact with the aircraft. Additionally, the waiver permits these operations without the use of traditional airspace monitoring systems, such as radar.

With the House passing the ban on new DJI drones here in the US and the possibility of a similar bill passing the Senate, is it time US companies try to enter the market? Are there even any companies left that could make it work?

Adam Bry, CEO of Skydio, has decided to address criticism that his company is lobbying for a DJI drone ban in the US to eliminate competition.

Axon, the company that invented Taser stun guns, is joining forces with drone maker Skydio to deliver a scalable Drone as a First Responder (DFR) solution.

Skydio has announced the establishment of a National Security Advisory Board. The US drone maker will now receive strategic guidance from a cohort of seasoned national security experts while delivering autonomous drone solutions to the Department of Defense and allied militaries. The development comes at a time when Chinese drone maker DJI is facing a potential ban in the US amid data security concerns.