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Pro- and anti-DJI opeds illustrate role of lobbies in blacklisting battle

blacklisting drone DJI

A funny thing happened the on the way to the conclusion of an otherwise convincing editorial about the self-defeating consequences of the recently passed anti-China American Security Drone Act of 2023 (ASDA): The author associated himself with a lobby supported by same DJI targeted by the law’s federal blacklisting, thus undermining the effectiveness of what had been a very compelling argument.

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DJI’s all-new Osmo Action 4 cam sees first discounts starting at $299 (Save $100)

Amazon is now offering a new all-time low on the DJI Osmo Action 4. This action camera just released last fall and is now finally going on sale for the first time at $299 shipped. It normally sells for $399, and is now dropping by $100 for the only time to fittingly mark the best-ever discount. Also available directly from DJI. You can also save $100 on both the Cycling Combo at $349 and the Adventure Combo at $399 at either of the storefronts. We took a deep dive into what to expect from the Action 4 in our hands-on review,

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Saint Louis grounds crime-fighting (but unwelcome) drone surveillance company [Update]

St. Louis drone

Clashing priorities of personal privacy, collective security, use of unpopular surveillance applications, and respect of federal airspace regulations are inflaming tempers in one Saint Louis neighborhood, whose resident are fighting to prevent an outside crime fighting advocate from using drones as for-hire aerial watch dogs.

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Drone Delivery Canada secures BVLOS dangerous cargo approval

Drone Delivery Canada BVLOS

Canadian UAV transport specialist Drone Delivery Canada has effectively fused two different operational authorizations it had earned from regulators in past into a unified approval to fly beyond visual line of sight missions (BVLOS) while carrying medical payloads classified as dangerous cargo.

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Ad of Autel Titan delivery drone toting munitions sparks furor [Update]

Autel drone munitions

Leading global drone manufacturer Autel Robotics is facing intense international scrutiny after images in ads for its forthcoming Titan delivery UAV included what appear to be a munitions payload – presumably for military uses the China-based company recently condemned. Autel informed DroneDJ Monday the photos are fake, and that it’s working to identify their source.

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Ditch your iPhone for the built-in screen on the DJI RC at $273 (New low, Reg. $309)

It’s time to finally stop relying on your iPhone to monitor video feeds from your drone, as Amazon is marking down the DJI RC. This companion remote normally sells for $309, but thanks to an Amazon discount, is now clocking in at $272.95 shipped. This is only the third chance to save so far, and saves you $36 on top of marking a new all-time low. It was down to $290 over the holidays and Black Friday as the only other two discounts, and now it’s an extra $17 off.

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Will New US Law Ground DJI, Autel Drones? Yes, No, Definitely Maybe, a User Guide Suggests

drone DJI law

Will the portion of the National Defense Authorization Act containing a ban on drones made by China-based companies like DJI be the boon for US makers the law’s political backers claim? “A definite maybe” is what a reading of a new document detailing the measure published by longtime UAV expert and innovator Mark Bathrick offers readers.

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