Feds charge drone pilot after MLB stadium no-fly violation
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SQUID drone is launched by a cannon from a moving truck [video]
Not only are people still coming up with new drone applications, but they are also still coming up with new drone designs. How about the SQUID drone that is launched from a cannon mounted in the bed of a moving truck. Once the SQUID reached a certain altitude, it deploys and flies away like a ‘normal’ drone.
GoPro Max 360 better than the GoPro Hero 8 for everyday use?
During the launch of the GoPro Hero 8 and GoPro Max 360, GoPro decided to market the GoPro Max 360 as a normal camera with optional 360 modes. Is this a sign of the future for GoPro cameras or is it just another marketing technique used by GoPro. Either way, let’s take a look.
Eachine Tyro 119 – Good luck finding a better GPS drone for less
The Eachine Tyro 119 is the latest entry to the easy to build Tyro lineup. Eachine has developed a handful of relatively easy to build drone kits that are incredibly inexpensive. With a flight controller that is almost exclusively plug and play Tyro kits are the place to start if you are looking to build your own drone.
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Drone industry is growing fast to $100 billion by 2020 and $1.5 trillion by 2040
Things are looking up as the drone industry is expected to reach $100 billion by 2020 and even up to $1.5 trillion by 2040 according to Morgan Stanley. Grab a cup of coffee and take a look at this six-minute video from CNBC in which David Reid gives a quick update.
Opinion: Prioritizing safety in the drone revolution
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Elaine L. Chao explains in an opinion piece, titled “Prioritizing safety in the drone revolution”, why safe and responsible drone flying is crucial to the future of the drone industry.
Drone pilot fined $20,000 after fly-away DJI Phantom 3 lands at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas
Drone pilot Reuben Burciaga was fined $20,000 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after his fly-away DJI Phantom 3 drone landed right next to an active runway at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. The drone incident took place in June of 2018 when Burciaga wanted to take an aerial photo of a Ferris wheel. Early on during the flight, he lost control of the DJI Phantom 3. The drone then slowly drifted for more than two miles towards the airport before landing right next to an active runway. The FAA issued the ‘careless and reckless” drone pilot a fine of $14,700 that increased to around $20,000 after Burciaga failed to pay or appeal on time. We have included the original video of the drone flight that was uploaded by Burciaga below.
Updated with the original flight logs of the DJI Phantom 3. You can download them here.
Your Skydio 2 is almost ready to ship! First batch is about to be delivered!
Your Skydio 2 is almost ready to ship! Ah… What a nice way to start the weekend! I (and many other lucky drone enthusiasts) just received an email from Skydio informing us that the first batch of Skydio 2 drones is being prepared to ship out. We’re super excited to get our hands on the second generation of fully autonomous flying drones from the American drone manufacturer. Here’s the email that Skydio just sent out.
DJI Mavic Mini teardown and rebuild video with step-by-step instructions
Check out this DJI Mavic Mini tear-down and rebuild video if you have a minute and are interested in the inner workings of DJI’s latest drone. I think it’s fascinating to see how they put this lightweight drone together and were somehow able to keep it below 250 grams.
US Department of Homeland Security plans to shoot down drones near airports
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to shoot down drones near airports, as we saw in our story from earlier today, to “mitigate” the risk the unmanned aircraft pose to air traffic. The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Federal Air Marshal Service would operate a Defense Department counter-unmanned-aircraft system, according to new plans. Two Republican lawmakers, however, protested against the proposed “Concept of Operations.”
Save up to $360 on Swellpro’s SlashDrone 3+ or Spry+ Waterproof Drone
Wellbots is currently offering another exclusive promotion for 9to5Toys readers, this time discounting the Swellpro SlashDrone 3+ Quadcopter starting at $1,049 shipped when using code 9TO5PRO at checkout. On top of the current 10% discount, that takes off an extra $30, which amounts to an overall $150 discount. Today’s offer is the lowest we’ve seen. This sale also covers other models which include 4K camera add-ons, payload release, and more at upwards of $361 off. Swellpro’s SlashDrone 3+ features a waterproof design that allows it to safely navigate around rivers, the ocean, and even float on water. On top of a 25-minute flight time, other notable features here include GLONASS and GPS capabilities for improved accuracy, a remote with built-in 5-inch FPV display, and more. Head below for more.
Our exclusive promo code makes the DJI Osmo 4K Action Camera $249 (Reg. $330+)
Wellbots is offering the DJI Osmo Action Camera for $249 shipped when our exclusive promo code 9TO5CAM is used at checkout. This is down from its $380 list price at Best Buy, $330 going rate at Amazon, and is just $4 above its all-time low. This beats DJI’s official Black Friday sale by $30, for comparison. Sporting 4K60 recording with HDR capture, this action camera is built to keep up with high-end lifestyles. For a slower pace, it can record 1080p240 which is perfect for bringing a bit of drama or emphasis to your videos. Rated 4.4/5 stars and you can learn more in our hands-on review.
Autonomous SailDrones are the new ocean explorers
You’re right these machines don’t fly, but that doesn’t make them any less fascinating. Currently, there are about 30 of these autonomous SailDrones deployed around the world. these vessels are jam-packed with sensors and analyze parts of the oceans where normally very few people venture. The SailDrone company aims to have about 1,000 of these sailing drones navigating the world in a few years.
Missing 84-year-old man found with DJI Inspire 2 drone
We’re waiting for DJI to release their latest update for the number of people that have been rescued around the world with the help of drones. That number must be getting close to 300 hundred now. It was 279 during the DJI Airworks event that took place in October in Los Angeles. This story was shared by Romeo Durscher, DJI’s Senior Director of Public Safety Integration, and it is about an 84-year-old man who had been lost for more than 48 hours but luckily was found with help of a DJI Inspire 2 drone (DJI, Amazon). As the fall season in Estonia tends to get pretty cold, we are happy to report that the gentleman is safely back home now.
Drone light shows in China are showing what is possible
We have seen a number of amazing drone light shows here in the US over the last couple of years. Mostly from companies like Intel and Verity Studios. But more recently it seems that the most advanced and animated drone light shows are happening in China. I came across this video earlier today and then I started searching some more and I was positively surprised with what I found. Check out some of these recent videos that show you what can be done with coordinated drone light shows. The figures and animations that are created in the night skies are simply amazing. Who needs fireworks anymore?
Modern fisherman has a rod, reel, and a DJI drone
You might have seen the videos on Youtube of people using drones when fishing off the beach. Well, the WSJ has an article about this relatively new phenomenon that is worth a read. They call it the fishing for the Modern Fisherman: Rod, Reel, a DJI Drone. I say, DJI drone because as you’ll see in the photos but also videos on Youtube, fishermen use the DJ Mavic, Phantom and Inspire to precision-drop their bait. All drones that you can buy directly from DJI or Amazon.
DJI Fly app working with the DJI Mavic Air and DJI Spark
The newly released DJI Mavic Mini brought a new app along with it, called DJI Fly. It’s a cut-down version of the DJI GO 4 app to better suit the needs of new flyers. The only drone that officially works on the DJI Fly app is the new DJI Mavic Mini, and after some testing and a video from iAdventurez, we have been able to get both the DJI Mavic Air and DJI Spark working in the new app.
Drone Racing League drops minimum pilot age to just 16 years old
The leaders in the drone racing scene, the Drone Racing League are once again breaking boundaries by opening up its 2020 racing series to 16-year-olds. We got the chance to interview DRL‘s COO, Ashley Ellefson and ask a few questions about the reason for lowering the age limit and what it will do for the future of the sport.
FPV drones race BMW S1000RR motorcycles on track [video]
FPV drones race BMW S1000RR motorcycles on Thunderhill Raceway in this amazing video. Sometimes you wonder whether these FPV drone videos can get much better. In my mind, combining action sports with aerial action cameras gets you the best of both worlds. The moving viewpoint that an FPV drone provides not only gets you close to the action, but creates the feeling that you are actually part of the action.
Over 100 pilots lift off at two-day GEMA and FEMA drone training event
More than 100 pilots lift off from Jim R. Miller Park during a two-day GEMA and FEMA drone training event, participating in exercises ranging from obstacle courses to barricaded gunmen scenarios.
Drone with LiDAR reveals German SS concentration camp from WWII
As we have seen in other cases, LiDAR-equipped drones are revealing secrets that have remained invisible to the naked eye. This time a drone with LiDAR reveals a German SS concentration camp from WWII. Old reconnaissance photos from the RAF had shown that during the war a prison camp had been present on Alderney in the Channel Islands, UK, but it took a drone to show where exactly the remains of the camp were located. Be sure to check out this video as well.
DJI Mavic Minis stuck in customs are moving — first deliveries scheduled today
The DJI Mavic Minis that were stuck in customs are moving again with some of the earliest deliveries scheduled for today. On social media, some people who had ordered the DJI Mavic Mini directly from DJI were getting somewhat nervous and were wondering whether the hold-up was related to somebody not paying their tariffs. Luckily those fears seem to have been alleviated now that we are seeing the first notifications of scheduled deliveries.
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Drone video shows grey whale casually swimming underneath surfers
Drones bring us some of the most amazing video footage. Just take a look at this drone video showing a grey whale casually swimming underneath a group of surfers at Doheny. And the crazy part is that hardly anybody seems to notice the massive creature.
DJI demonstrates direct drone-to-phone Remote ID
DJI announced today that the Chinese drone maker has been working on a new drone-to-phone Remote ID solution that uses WiFi. The new app was demonstrated with a DJI Mavic Air (DJI, Amazon) and a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise drone at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s third annual Drone Enable conference in Montreal. In their statement, DJI says that with this simple app “anyone within radio range of the drone can receive that signal and learn the location, altitude, speed and direction of the drone, as well as an identification number for the drone and the location of the pilot.” the new drone-to-phone Remote ID app and firmware updates from DJI are not yet available for public use as this was merely a demonstration. The company is waiting for further direction from aviation regulators and final publication of the ASTM International standard.
DJI Pilot update brings MSX support for Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual to iOS users
DJI Enterprise announced on twitter that a new DJI Pilot update will bring MSX support for the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual to iOS users. The update will include other iOS 13+ performance improvements as well, although DJI Enterprise did not specify what those might be. In a second tweet, DJI said that the update has been submitted, and that they expect it to become available this Friday or Monday.