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This week Yifei and Seth discussion the appearance of a possible DJI competitor out of Japan, and DJI provides a rare response to data security issues.

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The continued and extremely effective innovation in deploying what at their origin are consumer and enterprise drone technologies – notably first-person view craft (FPV) – have been essential to Ukraine’s defense against the larger and better equipped invading Russian Army. Now it appears technicians in Kyiv have again attained an aerial advantage by flying swarms of UAVs overseen by a craft acting as a kind of “queen” bee in those operations.

Tech giant DJI has released a new firmware package for its most affordable travel-friendly drone, the Mini 2 SE. This is the first update for the $299 drone since March last year.

DJI has released a new firmware update for the sub-250-gram Mini 3 drone. This update is especially important for pilots who use their Mini 3 with an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus.

Specialized cargo drone developer MightyFly has unveiled the third generation of its Centro hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing craft (eVTOL), equipped with additional features and performance enhancements the startup will demonstrate during events later this year.

The world’s leading drone maker DJI has clearly had enough of the recurring accusations about the data security of its craft, and the attendant blacklists drawn up by US political leaders offering no substantiation of their claims. In response, the company has issued a rare clarification about the steps it takes to secure user information on its craft.

DJI has released a huge update for its drone flying app, DJI Fly. Version 1.12.8 of the app comes with a host of new features including a home screen that has been revamped to be more informative and intuitive, as well as a new shortcut for transferring drone footage to another device.

The effects of drone technology have been sufficiently disruptive – or perhaps “threatening” is a better term – to legacy land surveying officials that a North Carolina aerial imaging and mapping service provider is now having to defend attacks on his activity with arguments it’s a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment.

London-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft company Vertical Aerospace is getting a critical extension of its cash runway to develop its air taxi, with a $50 million infusion from company founder and CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick.

Japanese drone maker ACSL says its SOTEN drone with a swappable camera system and robust encryption process is now ready to ship in the US. The standard package of the NDAA-compliant drone has been priced under $10,000 to compete with global rival DJI’s commercial offerings.

Two additional U.S. police departments have been equipped with new drones for use in their law enforcement duties. And once again – despite proliferating government attempts at dissuasion – those forces adopted DJI craft as offering the best solutions available to their budgets, opting for pragmatism over politics.

Though initially considered destined for the ash heap of history when its principal tech partner left the project, the essential drone pilot’s situational awareness and airspace restriction reference tool, B4UFLY, is getting new life from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through an updated version of the app set for release next month.

Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) has announced the extension of its ground-breaking UAV transportation activities from and around Edmonton International Airport – which at its launch was among the world’s first drone services at a major aviation platform, according to the firm, and the first in Canada.

Terra, the all-in-one drone mapping solution from DJI, has been updated again to enhance both the product features and the data processing speed. While LiDAR point cloud reconstruction missions will benefit the most from version 4.0.0 of the software, Terra now supports the newly-released DJI Modify 3D model editing tool as well.

A cutting-edge UK laser defense asset has been successfully tested against simulated enemy aircraft – which, in a reflection of the swiftly changing nature of conflict these days, cast drones in the supporting role of the doomed invader.

Air taxi developer Archer Aviation has announced a new partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which will initiate their mutual research into future advanced air mobility (AAM) applications with what they see as the lynchpin of the new tech’s performance – powerful but safe batteries.

If you can do with some savings right now, there are quite a few deals available on some of the best DJI drones and cameras. From the travel-friendly Mini 2 SE coming down to its lowest-ever price to the Osmo Action 4 camera seeing its first discount since launch, DJI’s January 2024 sale is a great opportunity to save on purchases both big and small. Here’s the complete lowdown…

So, the second generation of DJI’s audio recording solution, Mic 2, is now available to buy with prices starting at $219. But how is this new offering by the tech giant different from the original DJI Mic? And if you’re a content creator, vlogger, podcaster, or filmmaker, should you invest in one?

Drone services company DroneUp has announced reception of what’s currently considered the brass ring of UAV operational capabilities with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization to make beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) deliveries without the obligation of ground observers.

Tech giant DJI has unveiled the company’s first intelligent 3D model editing software, DJI Modify. The solution is meant to be used with DJI Terra drone mapping software to repair common 3D model defects.

The walls appear to be steadily closing in on DJI in the US – and perhaps, users of its drones as well – following official warnings issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency over alleged security threats China-produced drones pose to operators.

The DJI Inspire 3 professional aerial cinematography drone has received its first new firmware update of the year. Those who use the DJI High-Bright Remote Monitor with their Inspire 3 will find this update particularly exciting.