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Calling all e-drone racing pilots: pitch your skills against other top pilots at a new, online FAI e-drone race which is part of the FAI World Drone Racing Championships (WDRC). The competition is open to everyone, is free to enter and there is a cash prize! Registration opens on 21st August 2023 on the EreaDrone website for this inaugural FAI e-Drone Racing Cup The qualification period is scheduled between 1st and 24th September The final stage is part of the hotly anticipated 2023 FAI World Drone Racing Championship (WDRC) in Namwon City, Republic of Korea from 6th to 9th October 2023 and there are cash prizes and FAI diplomas for winning pilots. This very first online FAI e-Drone Racing event (officially named '2023 FAI e-Drone Racing Cup') will use a simulation of the 2023 FAI WDRC track, so newcomers can experience the thrill of a real race against pilots from around the world. Indeed, organisers expect that many of the pilots who have qualified for the WDRC 2023 will not want to miss out on the opportunity to compete in this e-drone race before their live race. HOW TO ENTER The pilot will require an EreaDrone 2023 Steam key and…...

This week, Sony’s Gran Turismo movie will be the latest game-to film-adaptation, but with a sports documentary twist. Rather than directly adapt the racing title, the film makers chose to tell the story of Jann Mardenborough, a gamer turner real-life racecar driver after winning GT Academy in 2011. While some recent adaptations have focused on the culture and competition around gaming, Gran Turismo is the highest profile example to date. To put viewers as close to the action on the track as possible, Gran Turismo’s film makers brought on their own champion. Meet Alex Vanover, 2019’s Drone Racing League world champion. Vanover’s ascent Vanover’s interest in flying began early, beginning with flight simulators and then remote-controlled airplanes. But it wasn’t until 2016, when Vanover found a way to forge his passion into greatness. He stumbled upon the Drone Racing League in its inaugural season. Pitching itself as the “sport of the future,” the Drone Racing League features the world’s top First Person View (FPV) drone pilots racing through courses at over 90 miles per hour. Pilots use an on-board camera, a set of goggles and a controller to maneuver their drones. “My dad was a billiards world champion, and I…...

Skydio will no longer be selling drones to consumers. Skydio has consistently refuted allegations that it will stop selling drones to consumers and instead focus only on business clients.Only two months prior, we reported that the Skydio 2+ had been out of stock for a considerable amount of time. Sally French of the Drone Girl theorized that this was because the company was getting ready to pivot away from the consumer market. French was informed at the time by a Skydio representative that the scarcity was only the result of overwhelming demand. What does this firstly imply for you? Simply said, you won't be able to purchase Skydio drones any longer. Right now, if you visit the Skydio website, you'll see that the shopping button has disappeared. But just a month back, it has appeared again.  This modification to the Skydio website's navigation shows what the firm means by its "sunsetting consumer drone offerings." Skydio drones can no longer be purchased directly from the company. Instead, you must use the Contact Sales form if you want to purchase a Skydio drone. A Skydio representative will then get in touch with you to confirm that you are employed by a business or governmental entity before starting a sales dialogue. A final point: Despite Skydio's strong approach to selling directly to customers through its website, it has also offered drones for sale through third parties like Amazon. Also now unavailable on Amazon is the Skydio 2+. We anticipate that will remain the case moving ahead. ALREADY OWN A SKYDIO DRONE? Don’t worry. Skydio says it will continue supporting any owners of its technology, whether you’re a consumer or an enterprise client. We stand by all warranty terms, Skydio Care, and will continue vehicle repairs. Additionally, we will retain inventory of accessories for as long as we can to support the need for replacement…...

A new drone launch event is slated to take place in China on August 16, 2023, and DJI has already issued the teaser for it. The largest consumer drone manufacturer in the world appears poised to launch its newest product into the transportation and logistics market. For a few weeks, there have been rumors about a DJI delivery drone. However, the IT juggernaut has just announced the precise launch date. The teaser film unmistakably depicts a sizable quadcopter hauling a delivery package bearing the DJI logo. Another thing that can be seen is that the drone has an RTK module, which would enable extremely precise flight navigation. But why is DJI releasing this drone in China only, rather than in North America? Even though DJI dominates the consumer drone industry in the US and Canada, the firm has frequently had trouble launching its niche products there. Before it was even made available to international partners, DJI's Agras series of agricultural drones, for instance, was already being utilized pretty extensively in some regions of Asia. Similar to this, even after the DJI Dock autonomous drone charging and docking station was introduced, the business had to spend many months just advocating for…...

The worst wildfire year in the history of the country was deemed to be 2023 by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre in June. To put it into perspective, the agency reports that as of August 8, over 13.2 million hectares of land have burned nationwide, nearly twice the previous high of over 7.1 million hectares in 1995, with the CIFFC providing statistics going back to 1983. The fires have caused air quality problems not only in Canada but also in the northeastern United States, with smoke even traveling across the Atlantic and into Europe. In addition to the physical danger and displacement that come with any wildfire. The effects of climate change will most likely result in worse-than-average wildfire seasons more frequently than not, though fortunately not on an annual basis. The good news is that technology has advanced and may result in new capabilities to assist lessen the effects of the flames, if there can be any good news in the midst of these catastrophes. We've lately discussed some of the relatively new tools that can be utilized for these crucial duties. One of those tools is the UAV. The effects of climate change will most likely result in worse-than-average wildfire seasons more frequently than not, though fortunately not on an annual basis. The good news is that technology has advanced and may result in new capabilities to assist lessen the effects of the flames, if there can be any good news in the midst of these catastrophes. Here at Commercial UAV News, we've lately discussed some of the relatively new tools that can be utilized for these crucial duties. One of those tools is the UAV. Recently, Dean Attridge, VP of Solutions Engineering for Volatus, and Walter Weselowski, Team Lead, Special Flight Ops for Volatus, spoke with Commercial UAV News about how…...

A national security expert says the drone company that many Baltimore-area law enforcement agencies use may be leaking sensitive data to China. Some states and federal agencies have banned the use of Chinese-made drones. The drones of one particular company -- DJI -- are favored by law enforcement agencies across the U.S., including some in Maryland. A national security expert says the drone company that many Baltimore-area law enforcement agencies use may be leaking sensitive data to China. Some states and federal agencies have banned the use of Chinese-made drones. The drones of one particular company -- DJI -- are favored by law enforcement agencies across the U.S., including some in Maryland. Wilsinski, the drone unit's assistant team leader, told the I-Team that knowing that key piece of information that night -- that Linthicum did not have a gun -- was crucial in capturing him alive. "There's no urgency to run into him, you can take your time, you can make it safe, you can make your officers get to him in the safest possible manner without putting their lives at risk," Wilsinski said. Without drones, Gahler said the situation might have ended very differently. "I think, many times, something…...

The FAA’s Remote ID requirement goes into effect next month, on September 16. Here’s What You Need to Know as your go-to place for everything you need to know about the Remote ID rule and how to be compliant. WHAT IS REMOTE ID? The FAA describes Remote ID as "... the capability of a drone in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received by other parties through a broadcast signal." Simply put, Remote ID enables remote identification of your drone. The FAA wants to make the sky safer by broadcasting identifying information that enables them and other authorized parties to know who is flying in the airspace at any given time. From takeoff to shutdown, the drone must transmit the following precise Remote ID information: Drone ID Drone Location and Altitude Drone Velocity Control Station Location and Elevation Time Mark Emergency Status WHO HAS TO COMPLY WITH REMOTE ID DRONE REQUIREMENTS? No matter whether a drone is being used for business or pleasure, it must adhere to the Remote ID requirement when flying in the United States. Only two situations are an exception: Remote ID rules do not apply to drones that weigh less than.55 pounds…...

The FPV drone race that will be held this year is the FAI World Drone Racing Championships to determine the best drone racer in the world, and will be held for the first time in 2018, the second time the following year in 2019, and then not held again due to the Corona disaster, but will be held this year after 4 years! The Japanese team will represent Japan in the championships! There will be five participants representing Japan: the top three Japanese racers, one junior racer, and one female racer. FAI World Drone Racing Championship Japanese Representatives AnnouncedWhat is drone racing? Drone racing is a competition in which contestants compete for the fastest time by piloting a small, radio-controlled unmanned aircraft (drone) through gates and obstacles set up on a course at high speed. The drone pilots who compete use goggles or monitors to view images from the drone's onboard camera in real time, and they control the drone while watching the images. Unlike ordinary aerial photography drones, racing drones fly at speeds of 150 km/h or more and require acrobatic maneuvering techniques. It is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders, from…...

All UAS leaders must work together to coordinate the structure that will ensure the security, success, and scalability of drone cargo and air taxi operations. In order to establish norms for weather forecasting, identify designated UAM/drone routes, build efficient Cooperative Operative Practices, and more, public and private partners are collaborating. The process of creating this framework is well under progress. Air taxis and other AAM vehicles will be integrated into the National Airspace by 2028, according to a recent FAA plan. The plan asks for communication and cooperation between government agencies, and it addresses security, environmental, and noise concerns related to AAM. It also includes guidelines for flights within recognized flight paths connecting heliports and airports. In the US and other countries, attempts are being made at the same time to define air taxi and cargo drone operations. A 50-mile flying corridor was established in New York State in 2022 for testing "platforms, systems, concepts of operation, and other capabilities on drones up to 300 pounds." Additionally, recent studies from India, Israel, Europe, and Brazil have demonstrated the rapid advancement of ecosystems for air taxis and cargo drones. Many people in the drone sector are still unsure of how this…...

Following the city's recent decision to implement permitting procedures that are expected to ease the city's notoriously strict drone restrictions, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has moved to expand its own fleet by acquiring cutting-edge BRINC tactical UAVs designed for use in critical situations to reduce threat to human lives. The NYPD has purchased an undefined number of LEMUR 2 drones, which BRINC designed and manufactures for use by police, fire, public safety, and disaster response services. The airborne asset, which was introduced in March, builds on the significant technology aboard first-generation LEMUR aircraft. As a result, the UAV offers soldiers with remote access to and better situational awareness of conflict and other circumstances when direct human engagement would result in a significant danger of harm or death. According to the New York Post, the incident included less than ten LEMUR 2 craft worth roughly $87,750. The city's police force had possessed 19 craft, including 14 DJI drones purchased in 2018, according to an outside 2022 audit of official fleets across the state. As is customary, the Rupert Murdoch-owned Post seasoned its piece with a heavy emphasis on the potential political ramifications of the procurement, citing previous opposition by…...

(Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Chohei Toshita; hereinafter: FLIGHTS) will hold a free webinar on "UAV Laser Measurement [Basic]" on August 23 (Wed) from 17:00 onwards. A former construction consultant will give an in-depth explanation of the basics, advantages and disadvantages of drone laser surveying. In recent years, the domestic civil engineering surveying industry has been promoting i-Construction utilizing ICT technology, and UAV laser surveying is becoming one of the options. On the other hand, since it is still the technology of the future, there may be some people who haven't taken the first step yet because they don't know exactly what kind of technology it is or what kind of site it is suitable for. Therefore, we have organized a session where an engineer who has worked as a construction consultant at FLIGHTS will introduce you to the basics of UAV lasers, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. It is mainly aimed at people with experience in UAV photogrammetry, explaining UAV laser technology and more. Event Overview Date and time: Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 17:00-18:00  Participation fee: Free  Viewing: Online (Zoom) UAV Laser Measurement Webinar on the Basics of LiDAR What is LiDAR? Components of a LiDAR system…...

Leading global consumer and enterprise drone manufacturer DJI has issued a warning to customers about the risk of scams in downloading apps for its product from third-party sources, and urges users to obtain operating interfaces only from its own service. DJI recently posted the message on its official in-house forums and other communication outlets, which have subsequently been circulated by drone operators on social media. In it, the company says it has detected a number of “imitated apps” available on various platforms – including Google Play – that wind up scamming recipients. The marketing of bogus apps is a recurring ploy of online rip-off artists, with popular DJI drones being an obvious favored target within the UAV sector. According to posts on DJI forums and social media, the ploy usually trips up owners of older model drones or those that haven’t been flown of late. A logical updating of the DJI Fly app prior to renewed flight leads some clients to Google Play or other third-party platforms that no longer carry the interface. Procuring it results in a charge of what one victim said was nearly $40. The fraudulent apps reportedly never remain online for long before being identified by…...

Drone Show Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, President: Yuki Yamamoto, hereinafter referred to as "DSJ"), Japan's No. 1 drone show*, and TBS Television (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Katsuya Sasaki), which produces the drone show, used 900 drones to bring excitement to the "World Athletics Budapest" and "Asian Games in Hangzhou, China" held in Tokyo on August 5 and 6, respectively. Drones were used to bring excitement to the "World Athletics Budapest" and "Asian Games in Hangzhou, China," which were held in Tokyo on August 5th and 6th. The number of drone shows to be held in Japan as of August 7, 2023 Drone Show Japan Co., Ltd. is Japan's number one drone show performer and the first to use drones for commercialized air shows in Japan. It is the largest drone show company in Japan that develops its own aircraft, such as the opening production for the M-1 Grand Prix and the drone production for the J-League 30th Anniversary Special Match at the National Stadium. As a startup company in Ishikawa Prefecture, we are also active in regional revitalization. Program Outline Program Name:  "Budapest World Athletics Games Air Date: Saturday, August 19 - Sunday, August 27 [Scheduled]…...

In recent years, a thrilling new sport has taken flight and captured the hearts of tech enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies alike – drone racing. Combining the thrill of high-speed racing with cutting-edge technology, drone racing is rapidly soaring to new heights as a rising sport that captivates participants and spectators alike. From Hobbyists to Sport. Drone racing finds its origins in the grassroots hobbyist community, where enthusiasts built and flew drones for fun and exploration. As technology advanced and drones became more accessible, the idea of racing these agile flying machines emerged. The sport started to gain traction as early as the mid-2000s, but it was the advent of lightweight, high-performance racing drones and the introduction of FPV goggles that truly transformed drone flying into an immersive, competitive experience. The Thrill of Speed and Agility. What sets drone racing apart from conventional sports is the sheer thrill it offers to both pilots and spectators. Racing drones, often small and agile quadcopters, can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour or more, zipping through narrow gaps and conquering challenging obstacle courses with astounding precision. Pilots experience an adrenaline rush as they navigate the twists and turns, relying on their…...

Ishinomaki City held the Kawaira Festival from the 4th to the 6th. To commemorate the 100th anniversary, a Disney character drone show added color to the night sky of Ishinomaki City. The Ishinomaki Kawaira Festival, which began in 1916 and was interrupted by the war and a new type of coronavirus, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. "Mickey Mouse" appeared over the fireworks venue and was the highlight of the festival on the night of the 5th. Some 700 pre-programmed drones flew through the night sky to paint the picture. Oriental Land, the operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, hosted a special drone show as part of the park's 40th anniversary and to support the reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas. White halos gathered to form the character "Olaf" from "Frozen," as if waving from the night sky. Visitors were mesmerized by the dreamy and magical world depicted in the night sky for about 15 minutes. A junior high school student from Sendai said, "It's really beautiful and fun." A local said, "I'm 70 years old, but I've been watching fireworks since I was born, so Ishinomaki is the best place to see the festival." This year marks the 100th edition of…...

As it prepares for the 2023-24 season, the Drone Racing League has renewed its partnership with the U.S. Air Force, its longest-running sponsor. This year, racers will compete from the “U.S. Air Force DRL Flight Deck,” and one pilot will be sponsored by USAF. U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Christopher Amrhein said in a statement that "the league engages a coveted audience of young, high-energy Tech-Setters who have a passion for flight, innovation, and technology." They are the main reason we keep renewing our cooperation with DRL year after year because they will be future U.S. Air Force recruits and airmen. Since the second season of the league in 2017, the service has expanded its sponsorship of the DRL. Last year, the partnership expanded to include racetrack integration after initially focusing on gaming and digital content. "We've seen amazing growth and fan affinity for the Air Force as we continue to create new strategic opportunities for the U.S. Air Force to develop their talent-pipeline and engage potential drone pilots and engineers," DRL president Rachel Jacobson said via email. "More than 80% of our fans think our partnership is a great fit, and they are 30x more likely than the general…...

The long-awaited and much debated Remote Identification requirements take effect September 16, 2023 for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) across the United States. Remote ID allows drones to broadcast a signal that a third party can use to identify the drone in the air as well as the location of the operator. According to the FAA, Remote ID "helps the FAA, law enforcement, and other federal agencies locate the control station when a drone appears to be flying in an unsafe manner or where it is not allowed to fly." Newer drones sold in late 2022 or 2023 most likely include Remote ID capabilities already, but older models will have to be equipped with what's called a broadcast module. Due to an abundance of conflicting information online about which drones/pilots are required to use the new technology, KRDO reached out directly to the FAA for answers to some of the most common questions. Some of the questions and answers might be redundant, but we wanted to include all of them to make it as easy to understand as possible. KRDO - Which drones are required to have Remote ID capabilities? FAA - Any drone that requires FAA registration operating in U.S.…...

BEIJING (AP) — China imposed restrictions Monday on exports of long-range civilian drones, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine and concern that drones might be converted to military use. Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is friendly with Moscow but says it is neutral in the 17-month-old war. It has been stung by reports that both sides might be using Chinese-made drones for reconnaissance and possibly attacks. Export controls will take effect Tuesday to prevent use of drones for “non-peaceful purposes,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. It said some drone exports still will be allowed. China is a leading developer and exporter of drones. DJI Technology Co., one of the global industry’s top competitors, announced in April 2022 it was pulling out of Russia and Ukraine to prevent its drones from being used in combat. “The risk of some high specification and high-performance civilian unmanned aerial vehicles being converted to military use is constantly increasing,” the Ministry of Commerce said. Restrictions will apply to drones that can fly beyond the natural sight distance of operators or stay aloft more than 30 minutes, have attachments that can throw objects and weigh more than 7 kilograms (15½ pounds), according to the ministry. “Since the crisis in Ukraine,…...

China on Monday announced export controls on some drones and drone-related equipment, saying it wanted to safeguard "national security and interests" amid escalating tension with the United States over access to technology. The restrictions on equipment, including some drone engines, lasers, communication equipment and anti-drone systems, will take effect on Sept. 1, the commerce ministry said. The controls also affect some consumer drones, and no civilian drones can be exported for military purposes, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. "China's modest expansion of the scope of its drone control this time is an important measure to demonstrate our stance as a responsible major country, to implement global security initiatives, and maintain world peace," the unidentified spokesperson said. Authorities had notified relevant countries and regions, the spokesperson said. China has a large drone manufacturing industry and exports to several markets, including the United States. The Department of Defense and Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Congress in 2019 banned the Pentagon from buying or using drones and components manufactured in China. U.S. lawmakers have said that more than 50% of drones sold in the U.S. are made by Chinese-based company DJI, and they are the most…...

In June, the first drone airport DroneDock by StrixDrone came off the production line in Dayton, Ohio. The Israel-based business established a presence in Ohio a year ago with the goal of taking advantage of the area's expanding manufacturing and technological sectors. This first batch of drone docks demonstrates StrixDrones' dedication to conducting business in the US and to advancing its uncrewed systems expertise for commercial clients. They were designed to enable Spright to extend its drone-based healthcare delivery missions. Niv Aharoni, the creator and CEO of StrixDrones, told Commercial UAV News that "for me, people make business." In Ohio, we were able to assemble a team of excellent employees and find a large facility in a convenient setting. Choosing Dayton as the location for our US operation and product production was the appropriate choice. In Ohio's Montgomery County, StrixDrones opened a manufacturing plant the previous year and hired two highly qualified assembly line technicians as full-time workers. To develop the docking stations, they also entered into subcontracts with regional material suppliers like RAM Precision Industries and NCT Technologies Group. These agreements assisted the business in building the infrastructure necessary to satisfy DroneDock demand on a worldwide scale. Today, Spright…...

As per the latest study published by Virtue Market Research, the global FPV Drone Market has witnessed explosive growth in recent years, driven by the increasing popularity of FPV racing, aerial photography, and recreational activities. The market size estimated to be worth USD 335.62 Million in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 1349.66 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19% from 2023 to 2030. As technological advancements continue to shape the industry, our meticulously curated report offers valuable insights and actionable data to help businesses navigate the competitive landscape and stay ahead of the curve. Read More: https://virtuemarketresearch.com/report/fpv-drone-market Key Highlights of the FPV Drone Market Research Report: Market Size and Growth Analysis: The report provides an in-depth assessment of the current market size and growth trajectory, along with historical data and future projections, enabling investors and industry players to identify high-potential growth areas. Competitive Landscape: Gain a competitive edge with a comprehensive analysis of key players, their market share, product portfolios, and strategic initiatives. This section helps businesses benchmark their offerings and devise effective strategies to outperform competitors. Technological Advancements: Explore the latest technological innovations driving the FPV Drone Market, including advancements in camera technology, battery life,…...

Flyby Robotics founder Jason H. Lu remarked, "Our mission is to restore America's industrial UAV fleet by building a drone that pilots love." "My family came to the United States as political refugees from China," Lu remarked. Most people are unaware that in Chinese mainland, all private interests eventually serve the CCP. Political committees run by the CCP exist in all major corporations. Its government is totalitarian. Therefore, I am all too aware of how risky it is for our vital businesses in the US to rely on DJI drones. Our operators are in a difficult situation where we need to switch from Chinese-manufactured drones but also need superior options made in the US to complete the task at a reasonable cost. Lu's Los Angeles-based business strives to incorporate the most recent technology developments into its systems while keeping in mind the requirements of commercial drone pilots in order to produce these superior possibilities. Lu added, "At Flyby Robotics, we've assembled an incredible team of engineers from Yale research, NASA JPL, and Anduril to design UAV systems for problem areas that we regard as underserved in the US. We have people in-house that have built machine learning applications and top-tier…...

How might newcomers be drawn to small, rural communities? What features and amenities are people seeking for in a new neighborhood when considering a move? How may local drone delivery services and AAM aid in the process of urbanization? These are some of the concerns that Georgi Georgiev and his colleagues at Dr. Georgiev Consulting GmbH are attempting to address. Georgi Georgiev is an urban planner with vast knowledge and experience in Foresight assessments on Advanced Air Mobility integration in Europe. Georgiev's Bayern, Germany-based company has been working on the REGUAS project in conjunction with doks. innovation GmbH | inventairy and Stadtentwicklung Bebra GmbH since late 2022. The "REGulated regional UAS-based supply concept," or the use of uncrewed systems to convey multimodal items in rural areas, is the project's primary focus. The project is specifically searching for ways to enhance the delivery of commodities and advance urbanization initiatives in the North-East Hesse region of Germany's Magistrat der Stadt Bebra. The interdisciplinary project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transportation and is one of the nation's few AAM design and integration "lighthouse projects." "This is a relatively small town, which is motivated to innovate because they are…...

Attention all aspiring drone racers! The DCL23 Grand Prix Split 2 Draft Selection is your chance to join the prestigious Drone Champions League and race alongside the world’s finest pilots. On August 6th, the DCL23 Draft Selection opens its doors to all passionate racers. During this event, DCL team’s rosters will increase by two pilots, creating additional space for talented individuals like you. The Draft Qualification will take place in DCL – The Game, starting on Sunday 6th of August at 12pm UTC for 24 hours. The event is a limited attempts race – pilots can train for as long as they want within the event period but can only submit 5 attempts to record their best time. The road to becoming a part of DCL23 Split 2 is a thrilling one. Aspiring racers will compete on meticulously designed tracks, aiming to secure a spot among the top 50 on the leaderboard. The pressure will be intense, but remember that this is your moment to shine! Teams are allowed to trade pilots after the picks are announced with a predefined trading window. Teams can optionally add two additional pilots to their rosters for Split 2. Teams have until the 17th…...