Skydio Raises $100 Million and Launches X2 Commercial Drone
July 16, 2020
Skydio, a drone company formed in 2014, has recently raised $100 million in support of its expansion into the commercial enterprise drone sector. Skydio has a number of patents and patent applications, including smart navigation and flight…
Samsung Integrating UAVs and 5G Technology
June 23, 2020
Samsung recently unveiled new technology that utilizes drones for 5G network optimization. By using a UAV, a smartphone, and deep AI learning, Samsung is able to optimally position the antennas on cell towers in as little as 15 minutes,…
Cutting Cell Tower Costs with Drones
May 27, 2020
As mobile networks move towards 5G, the demand for telecom towers is expected to increase. For example, CTIA forecasted that small cell production in the US will grow from 86,000 in 2018 to over 800,000 by 2026. The cell tower…
Parrot and RIIS Partner to Develop AI Applications
February 19, 2020
RIIS and Parrot have partnered to develop AI programs for Parrot drones. RIIS, an IT consultancy and mobile app development specialist, has previously used Google’s machine learning platform, TensorFlow, and a DJI drone to count sheep.…
New combo satellite/cell communication provider coming. No rockets or towers required.
February 13, 2020
Alphabet’s Loon LLC and HAPSMobile, a partnership between SoftBank and Aerovironment, have announced the development of a communications payload for the HAWK30, HAPSMobile’s solar-powered, stratospheric, unmanned aircraft system…
DJI Aeroscope approved by UK’s Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure
December 12, 2019
DJI announced that its AeroScope drone detection system has been evaluated and passed by the UK's Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure. AeroScope works with all current models of DJI drones, which analysts…
EagleView Wins $125M Patent Infringement Award, Sales Halt Against Verisk
October 30, 2019
A New Jersey jury ordered insurance data services firm Verisk to pay $125 million to aerial imaging firm EagleView for lost profits linked to Verisk infringing on various EagleView patents. The insurance and construction industries…
The first true BVLOS drone flight
August 2, 2019
For the first time ever, a drone has made a true flight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). A hybrid electric drone made for endurance flight from Skyfront successfully completed an almost 4-mile linear inspection of the Trans-Alaska…
Avoiding drone rush hour
July 16, 2019
Safety is one of the biggest hurdles to the rapid adoption of drones in multiple industries, and in response to this pressing problem, AirMap has partnered with INVOLI to offer a pre-integrated UTM and Air Traffic Awareness solution. It…
Drones connecting the US and China
July 1, 2019
With US-China relations recovering, DJI is actively positioning itself as an indispensable company in the US drone industry. In response to the Department of Homeland Security's warnings against Chinese commercial drones, the drone giant…
Loon raises $125 million along with its balloons
April 26, 2019
HAPSMobile, a joint venture by SoftBank and AeroVironment, invested $125 million in Loon, Alphabet's stratospheric balloon subsidiary. The investment is part of their long-term strategic relationship to advance the use of high altitude…
DJI launches new imaging software for drones
April 1, 2019
On 3/28/2019, DJI introduced DJI Terra, a new software tool that transforms drone data into digital 3D models and maps for easy analysis and decision making. DJI Terra enables businesses and organizations using DJI drone technology to…
GSE Technologies is identifying defects in infrastructure using UAVs
February 15, 2019
GSE Technologies, located in Houghton MI, is developing a remote scanning and detection system, which can utilize UAVs, for identifying defects in infrastructure such as roadways or bridges.
Using Cellular Infrastructure for UAV Control
January 23, 2019
USDrobotics, located in Orlando FL, is developing a way to utilize the existing national cellular network and physical infrastructure to provide UAV command and control functionality over most of the national area.