DroneDJ

The dangers of AI are making headlines once again. Earlier this week, leaders from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and other artificial intelligence labs came out with a warning that future AI systems could be as deadly as pandemics and nuclear weapons. And now, we are hearing about a test simulated by the US Air Force where an AI-powered drone “killed” its human operator because it saw them as an obstacle to the mission.

Canadian drone hardware, service, and training company Volatus Aerospace has announced the addition of two new specialized, certification-required activities to its broadening menu, notably the ability to provide aerial tech for use in battling the nation’s proliferating wildfires.

Israel-based hydrogen-powered UAV developer HevenDrones is keeping a very close eye on work in the UK toward creating a 165-mile “drone superhighway,” which is intended to enable a broadening range and rate of aerial activity and services across a huge swath of the nation. Although it is not yet involved in what are the still preliminary stages of that British project, HevenDrones CEO Bentzion Levinson says he believes the program’s potential for rapidly, radically transforming UAV systems, regulations, operation, and tech – including power sources like hydrogen permitting far longer flights – is enormous, and something he’d be keen to join when the time is right.

Medical technology company Siemens Healthineers says it plans to roll out a drone delivery solution to transport laboratory diagnostics materials as well as other medical supplies in Africa. The company is joining forces with Wingcopter, a German developer and operator of delivery drones, for this initiative.

Aviation giant Boeing has taken full ownership of electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Wisk – a step that closes out the role of cofounding backer Kitty Hawk in the startup’s activity.

DJI’s latest sub-250-gram drone, the Mini 2 SE, is an ultraportable, regulation-friendly aircraft that is exempt from registration and licenses in several parts of the world. It comes at a super affordable price point of $339, with the Fly More Combo containing extra batteries and a host of useful accessories costing only $489. But how does the new DJI drone compare to its closest competitors, the Mini 2 and Mini SE? Let’s find out…

Eve Mobility, the electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) unit of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, says it has passed a pair of milestones in its push to launch next-generation air taxi services, including testing vital components of its future prototype plane.

New York State has announced additional measures to protect beachgoers from sharks at Long Island State Park beaches this summer. More specifically, 10 new drones are being deployed to enhance the State’s shark monitoring capacity.

As virtually inevitable after a long series of protracted legal battles, the seemingly eternal case of a Michigan couple suing local authorities for having allegedly violated their privacy and constitutional rights by using a drone to inspect their cluttered yard is now heading to the state’s Supreme Court for final adjudication.

Terra, the all-in-one drone mapping solution from DJI, has received a new firmware update. Version 3.7.0 of the software packs in several new features including an option to reduce output resolution to facilitate browsing and editing models online. And as always, many existing features have been optimized, and occasional issues fixed.

Top US cargo carrier Ameriflight has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate drone deliveries as part of its regular services, and will soon begin using California-based UAV developer Matternet’s M2 craft and navigating systems to launch that activity.

AirMap, one of the most popular apps used by drone operators to gain a Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) nod to fly in controlled airspace at or below 400 feet, has announced the decision to shut down its LAANC service.

California heavy-lift drone specialist Parallel Flight Technologies (PFT) is moving to accelerate the growth of its business activities around the world through a pair of developments, including a purchase agreement for its flagship Firefly craft with Indian company UAV Systems Private Limited.

Offering supporting evidence to details in DroneDJ’s exclusive report on Ukraine’s covert military program preparing drone strikes deep inside Russia, UAVs struck Moscow this morning in what appears to have been a response to the wake of relentless aerial attacks on Kyiv in recent days.

Unleash live, an Australia-based provider of visual analytics and drone management software, has joined forces with AstraUTM, an uncrewed traffic management (UTM) solutions provider, to enhance the safety and efficiency of drone operations.

Developer of the battery-powered advanced air mobility (AAM) Viceroy seaglider, REGENT announced it is continuing testing of its quarter-scale version of the craft nearly nine months after the diminutive prototype successfully performed its inaugural trial outing.

As reported in past posted, the Ford Motor Co. is busy working on ways to integrate drones for use with its cars, trucks, and vans, with a newly published patent indicating how the automotive giant is looking to facilitate delivery craft landing on moving vehicles.

AgEagle Aerial Systems has added a new product to the MicaSense series of drone sensors. The company’s latest offering, RedEdge-P dual, is a high-resolution multispectral and RGB composite sensor that allows DJI operators to use their drones for plant classification, weed identification, environmental research and conservation, and vegetation analysis of water bodies.

Since Russian forces stormed their country last year, Ukraine fighters have continually stunned Moscow with their remarkably innovative and effective use of consumer, enterprise, and military-grade drones in attacking invaders’ positions and compounds. Now sources offer DroneDJ insights on how Ukraine’s planners are working to muscle-up UAVs for increased strikes inside Russia itself – activities that may have been behind explosions above the Kremlin in early May.

Dronamics, the European drone transport company betting its future on what it believes will be a booming demand for middle-mile delivery services, has announced the successful first test flight of its flagship Black Swan UAV.

Uncrewed traffic management (UTM) specialist AirMatrix says it has received funding to map cellular signal data up to 1,000 feet. The company’s new research project will eventually help to set up the necessary telecom infrastructure for passenger air taxis and drones carrying heavy payloads above 400 feet.

Swiss UAV medical drone delivery specialist RigiTech has announced a strategic partnership with US UAV healthcare transport company Spright, aiming to extend their mutual activities across Europe and the globe.

German advanced air mobility (AAM) plane developer Lilium has announced a pair of business developments that – while not eliminating the financial pinches the company has faced of late – offers new signs that its cutting-edge electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are finding eager buyers needed to assure the company’s success.

Montana has adopted a new law adding state penalties for drone pilots whose flights interfere with firefighting efforts on top of federal fines – a legal combination that could feasibly cost convicted violators $40,000.