Connecticut may be the first state to ban so-called "weaponized" drones; but the plan also calls for an exemption for law enforcement. While it's the exemption that civil rights advocates are most concerned with, the ban is also cause for concern in the drone industry. Lawmakers in the state first became concerned about weaponized drones after a CT teen posted a YouTube … [Read more...] about The Problem With Banning “Weaponized” Drones
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7 Consumer Drone Companies to Watch in 2017
The consumer drone industry is at an interesting point in its evolution in 2017. It's hardly a crossroads, but there's certainly been a slowdown of sorts over the last twelve months. On the one hand, the market for recreational sales continues to grow, but on the other, a number of major manufacturers, including GoPro, Ehang, Yuneec, Parrot and 3D Robotics, have had to cut … [Read more...] about 7 Consumer Drone Companies to Watch in 2017
Walmart’s New Patent: A More Realistic Application for Drone Delivery?
Most drone industry players working towards drone delivery can agree: those applications may be a long way off in the US, due to regulations that do not yet allow for regular flight beyond line of sight or in highly populated areas. But Walmart's (NYSE: WMT) new patent may introduce a far more realistic application: drone delivery, indoors. The patent, first uncovered by … [Read more...] about Walmart’s New Patent: A More Realistic Application for Drone Delivery?
Who Benefits from AirMap and its Digital Certificates for Drones?
Airmap, with its low-altitude airspace management platform for drones, continues to garner international market share and new investment, but some uses for its digital certificates raise questions about their role in future airspace regulation. THE FACTS: Airmap provides low-altitude navigational data and communication tools to the drone industry. In February 2017, they … [Read more...] about Who Benefits from AirMap and its Digital Certificates for Drones?
Industry Leaders Speak Out About State and Local Drone Regulations
The patchwork quilt of state and local drone regulations continues apace, with two more states proposing drone laws that would severely limit commercial use. The Montana Senate advanced a bill this week which would impose a civil penalty for flying a drone over private property below 500 feet, requiring drones to follow public roads and land. The bill (SB 170) makes a small … [Read more...] about Industry Leaders Speak Out About State and Local Drone Regulations
