News

Urban Aeronautics Alleges DJI’s High-End Drones Violate Emergency Landing Technology Patent by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill Urban Aeronautics, an electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicle manufacturer, is suing DJI, claiming the China-based drone giant improperly copied the Israel-based EVTOL company’s technology for safely bringing down a multi-rotor aircraft after one of the rotors fails. A patent lawsuit,… Read more: Israeli eVTOL Maker Sues DJI for Alleged Patent Infringement

Thermal imaging and AI software integrated into Red Cat’s Black Widow drone Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies, has been chosen by Red Cat Holdings, Inc., to provide thermal imaging and Artificial Intelligence (AI) embedded software for the Black Widow™ small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS). This selection comes as Red Cat secures the U.S. Army’s… Read more: Teledyne FLIR Selected for Red Cat’s Black Widow™: US Army SRR Program

With FAA approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight missions, Carbonix and ArgenTech Solutions bring advanced VTOL drone capabilities to industries demanding precision and endurance. by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab In a first for the Australian fixed-wing VTOL space, drone developer Carbonix recently announced that their Volanti UAV has received permission to conduct… Read more: Carbonix Volanti Achieves Nationwide FAA BVLOS Approval: Pioneering Long-Range Fixed-Wing UAV Operations in the US

Intuitive, All-in-One Software Empowers Beginners and Experts to Design Stunning Drone Choreography with Ease by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Latvian drone software company SPH Engineering recently announced a new product- Drone Show Creator, which allows beginners and professionals alike to quickly and easily put together impressive drone shows. By breaking down the technical… Read more: Drone Show Creator by SPH Engineering: Revolutionizing Aerial Entertainment for Creatives Everywhere

Partnership Brings AI-Driven UTM Technology to Electrical Infrastructure Inspections Propeller Drones has partnered with Airwayz to fulfill a $7 million contract with the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC). This project marks a milestone in BVLOS drone operations in Israel, enabling unmanned aircraft to conduct autonomous inspections of electrical infrastructure using pre-approved AI-managed routes. The collaboration is… Read more: Propeller Drones and Airwayz Collaborate on $7 Million IEC Contract for BVLOS Autonomous Flights

New Contract Aims to Enhance Battlefield Capabilities Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT), through its subsidiary Teal Drones, has been selected as the production provider for the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record. This announcement follows a rigorous test and evaluation process conducted by the Army Project Management Office for Uncrewed Aircraft… Read more: U.S. Army Selects Red Cat’s Teal Drones for Short Range Reconnaissance Program

How drones used for criminal activity are driving bipartisan calls for expanded detection and mitigation powers. By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill Earlier this month, sheriff’s deputies in Marlboro County, S.C. arrested two men after recovering a large package of drugs and cellphones, which the men allegedly dropped from a drone flying above the Evans… Read more: “A Great, Looming Concern”: Law Enforcement Pushes for Local Counter-Drone Authority

Collaboration Brings Advanced Precision Technology to the World’s Largest Spray Drone Rotor Technologies, Inc. and AG-NAV Inc. have announced a collaboration to integrate AG-NAV’s precision navigation and flow control technology into Rotor’s Sprayhawk unmanned helicopter. The partnership aims to enhance precision and efficiency in aerial applications for agricultural operators. Introducing the Sprayhawk and AG-NAV Integration… Read more: Rotor Technologies and AG-NAV Announce Partnership to Automate Aerial Applications with Sprayhawk Helicopter

Operation DRONAGIRI leverages drones and geospatial technology to improve decision-making and foster innovation. India has launched Operation DRONAGIRI, a groundbreaking pilot project under the National Geospatial Policy 2022. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration and innovation across industries by integrating geospatial data and technology. Sectors like agriculture, logistics, livelihoods, and transport are expected to benefit… Read more: India Launches Major Initiative to Share Geospatial Information Across Sectors

Hands-On Learning Prepares Future Innovators in Aerospace, Technology, and Robotics The 2024-2025 season of the Aerial Drone Competition has officially launched, engaging thousands of middle and high school students across the United States. Organized by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), the program encourages hands-on, team-based learning through drone-focused challenges. This year’s theme, Mission… Read more: The Aerial Drone Competition Inspires Thousands of Students Nationwide

How Drones Are Revitalizing Rural America: Two Videos Showcase Their Impact on Agriculture Drones are transforming agriculture and creating new entrepreneurial opportunities across the United States, particularly in rural areas. A story out of Springfield, Missouri, highlights how drones are not just tools for innovation but catalysts for revitalizing communities. Dakota Crow, the founder of… Read more: These Two Videos Demonstrate Why We Need Drones for Agriculture More than Ever

ideaForge and Drone Nerds Collaborate to Bring Advanced UAV Technology to Public Safety Agencies India’s ideaForge Technology Limited, in partnership with US drone distribution and services provider Drone Nerds, has introduced the Q6 V3 UAV to the U.S. market. This next-generation drone is engineered to meet the complex demands of public safety agencies, enabling greater… Read more: Q6 V3 UAV: A Powerful New Drone Revolutionizing Public Safety Operations

Education, Innovation, and Networking in Miami, FL Attending the Elevate UAV conference hosted by DroneNerds in Miami, Florida, this week was an incredible opportunity to dive into the latest in UAV technology. This gathering of industry leaders, educators, and enthusiasts created an environment rich with educational content, live demonstrations, and networking events that left a… Read more: Elevate UAV 2024: Advancing Drone Technology Through Education, Innovation, and Community in Miami

In this week’s episode of the Weekly Wings podcast, hosts Paul Rossi and Terry Neff dive into the latest drone and aviation developments. The episode begins with a heartwarming story of a missing 4-year-old child in Millersville, located quickly with the help of a drone deployed by local emergency teams and volunteer firefighters. The hosts… Read more: Saving Lives, Autonomous Firehawks, and Robotic Security on the Weekly Wings Podcast!

Group sues University of Michigan over drone ban By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill A hearing set for next month could determine whether the University of Michigan has the right to ban drone flights over all its properties. On December 17 the Michigan Court of Claims will hear arguments in the case of Michigan Coalition… Read more: Drone Operators vs. University of Michigan: Legal Battle Over Drone Ban Heads to Court

Innovators invited to shape the future of commercial drone technology in Amsterdam event The organizers of Commercial UAV Expo Europe have officially announced the Call for Speakers for their upcoming event, scheduled for April 8-10, 2025, at the RAI Amsterdam. This annual gathering brings together professionals from across the globe to explore the potential of… Read more: Commercial UAV Expo Europe Opens Call for Speakers for 2025

Industry Leaders Call for Timely Action to Unlock Drone Potential: BVLOS Draft Moves from DOT to OMB The drone industry stands on the verge of significant growth, but bureaucratic delays threaten to stall its progress. A draft rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, currently under review by the White House Office of… Read more: FAA’s BVLOS Draft Rule at a Critical Crossroads: Update

As Romeo Durscher steps back from the drone industry, facing retirement due to a recent health diagnosis, he reflects on a career that has shaped not only technology but lives around the world. In this interview with DRONELIFE, Romeo shares stories from his remarkable journey—defined by curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference.… Read more: Romeo Durscher: A Legacy of Innovation, Ethics, and Purpose in the Drone Industry

U.S.-Made Smart Plane Innovations Enhance Threat Detection and Tactical Flexibility WingXpand, an autonomous smart plane manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri, has announced a new collaboration with Raytheon, an RTX business known for its defense technology. This collaboration aims to advance capabilities in threat detection and operational flexibility for defense and civil applications. Additionally, WingXpand… Read more: WingXpand Announces Partnership with Raytheon and New VTOL Capability for Defense and Civil Missions

New funding from Lightspeed and gradCapital supports Airbound’s mission to transform last-mile delivery through cost-effective, efficient drones. Drone technology startup Airbound has raised $1.7 million in a seed round led by venture capital firm Lightspeed, with additional backing from gradCapital. This funding will help Airbound further develop its innovative TRT delivery drone, designed for enhanced… Read more: Airbound Secures $1.7 Million Seed Funding to Drive Economical Drone Delivery Solutions