dronelife

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 […] The post FAA’s BVLOS Draft Rule at a Critical Crossroads: Update appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

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. […] The post Romeo Durscher: A Legacy of Innovation, Ethics, and Purpose in the Drone Industry appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

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 […] The post WingXpand Announces Partnership with Raytheon and New VTOL Capability for Defense and Civil Missions appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

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 […] The post Airbound Secures $1.7 Million Seed Funding to Drive Economical Drone Delivery Solutions appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

From Identifying Threats in the Sky to Detecting Firearms on the Ground, ZeroEyes Expands Drone Capabilities for Law Enforcement and Defense by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magil ZeroEyes develops drone-detection technology, UAV-based gun detection By Jim Magill Drones are tools that can be used for both good and bad purposes. In the right hands, they […] The post ZeroEyes Takes Aim at UAV Security: New Drone Detection and Gun Detection Tech for Safer Skies appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Drones Prove Effective for Rapid, Real-Time Response in Urban Settings The New York City Police Department (NYPD) continues to demonstrate its pioneering role in integrating drones into law enforcement operations with the launch of the “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program. Announced by Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Interim Commissioner Tom Donlon, the program leverages […] The post NYPD’s ‘Drone as First Responder’ Program Expands Public Safety Strategy in New York City appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Partnership Focuses on Safe and Efficient UTM Integration for BVLOS Operations Matternet, known for its urban drone delivery services, has entered a strategic partnership with ANRA Technologies to enhance airspace management for its drone networks. This partnership aims to support Matternet’s recent expansion of home delivery services and enable safe Beyond Visual Line of Sight […] The post Matternet and ANRA Technologies Collaborate to Scale Urban Drone Delivery Networks appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Partnership with Apian and NHS Trust Enhances Patient Care through Efficient Drone Logistics Wing, in collaboration with Apian and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, has launched a drone delivery service to transport blood samples in London. The service, now active between Guy’s Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital, aims to improve care for patients […] The post Wing’s Drone Deliveries Bring New Speed to NHS Blood Sample Transport in London appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New collaboration combines SkyDrive’s eVTOL expertise with FEAM Aero’s extensive line maintenance network, paving the way for regional air mobility integration across U.S. aviation systems. by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Japanese eVTOL developer Skydrive recently announced a new strategic partnership with F&E Aircraft Maintenance (Miami), LLC to provide a framework for future eVTOL […] The post SkyDrive Partners with FEAM Aero to Bring eVTOL Maintenance Infrastructure to the US appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Investment in San Leandro Facility Aims to Strengthen Domestic Supply Chain and Deliver 200 MWh of High-Performance Drone Batteries by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab Lyten, a San Jose-based materials company focused on the battery space, announced today that it will acquire Cuberg’s San Leandro lithium-metal battery manufacturing facility and cell making equipment. Lyten […] The post Lyten Acquires Cuberg’s Facility to Boost US Lithium-Sulfur Battery Production for Drone and Defense Applications appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Modovolo Co-Founder and CEO Justin Call Discusses the Innovative Bicycle Wheel-Inspired Drone In a world where high-cost drones with limited flight times are common, Modovolo is breaking the mold with its Modovolo Lift. In this DRONELIFE Exclusive interview, Co-founder and CEO Justin Call shared insights into how this modular, bicycle wheel-inspired drone could offer both […] The post Modovolo Lift: A New Approach to Drones with Modular Design and Extended Flight Time appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

FAA Waiver Allows DEXA to Extend Drone Delivery Reach and Efficiency DEXA (Drone Express) has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to streamline last-mile logistics through autonomous drone deliveries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted DEXA a Part 107 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver for operations in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This […] The post DEXA Expands Drone Delivery with New FAA BVLOS Waiver appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Sikorsky and Rain Partner to Showcase Rapid Wildfire Response with Autonomous Flight Technology In a groundbreaking demonstration on October 29, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and Rain showcased the potential of autonomous flight technology to address wildfires. The event at Sikorsky’s Connecticut headquarters featured an autonomous Black Hawk® helicopter, equipped with Rain’s Wildfire Mission Autonomy […] The post Autonomous Black Hawk Helicopter Demonstrates Precise Wildfire Suppression appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Vets to Drones and Baltimore Forensics Host a Day of Hands-On Flying, Talks, and Networking Event Overview On Saturday, November 23, Vets to Drones and Baltimore Forensics invite veterans and public safety personnel to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for a unique, drone-centered event. Running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event aims to […] The post Veterans and Public Safety Personnel Event at Camden Yards to Explore Drone Opportunities appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Stakeholders expect Congress to pass legislation to allow local police to interdict drones By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The National Football League has reported that during the 2023 season it detected more than 2,800 improper drone flights at its stadiums in violation of FAA-imposed temporary flight restrictions. With the growing number of incidents involving […] The post Will Congress Empower Local Police to Counter Unauthorized Drone Flights? appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Brazil’s DECEA Selects VEGA UTM for Nationwide Drone Traffic Management, Paving the Way for Advanced Airspace Integration in Forestry, Agriculture, and Mining by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Brazil-based Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) developer and High Lander subsidiary BIRDS recently announced that their VEGA UTM product had been selected by the Brazilian air traffic […] The post Brazilian Drone Industry Takes Flight: BIRDS’ VEGA UTM Selected for National Airspace Modernization Project appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Thermal UAV Surveys Confirm Vital Koala Habitat, Marking a Conservation Milestone in MidCoast NSW by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Researchers working in Australia’s new Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, located three hours from Sydney on the traditional land of the Worimi people, recently discovered the presence of a young Koala joey cuddling with its mother […] The post Drones Detect Endangered Koalas in Australia’s Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New FAA Authorization Supports NYPA’s Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight Drone Missions ANRA Technologies announced a significant milestone with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granting it a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to deploy its strategic drone conflict detection and conformance monitoring services. In collaboration with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), ANRA’s solution will enhance safety and efficiency for […] The post FAA Approval Allows ANRA Technologies’ Services to Support BVLOS Waiver Applications appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Licensing Program Opens Door for Entrepreneurs in Drone Services Droneify, previously known as The Sky Guys, has taken a significant step in its business journey, announcing an expansion into drone-powered window cleaning services. The company also launched a licensing program, giving entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to join the growing industry. This program supports partners […] The post Droneify Expands into Drone-Powered Window Cleaning appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

(Part of a series on the drone community’s response to natural disasters) Last week marked the 12th anniversary since Hurricane Sandy slammed into the U.S. East Coast, causing tremendous devastation across wide areas of New York and New Jersey. In New York City, at least 43 people died as a result of the storm, which […] The post Rising Above the Storm: How Drones Are Revolutionizing NYC’s Disaster Response 12 Years After Hurricane Sandy appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Innovative Halo Platform Drives Growth and Customer Success for Uncrewed Systems Connectivity Elsight (ASX-ELS), known for connectivity solutions for unmanned and autonomous systems, has been recognized in The Australian Financial Review‘s (AFR) inaugural Customer Champions List for 2024. This list highlights companies that provide exceptional value and experiences to their customers while also achieving growth […] The post Elsight Recognized for Customer-Focused Approach in AFR’s 2024 Customer Champions List appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

The Indian UAV manufacturer advances self-reliance with 70% localization and robust technology for diverse applications In a significant achievement for India’s drone industry, ideaForge has crossed 550,000 successful UAV flights, with one of its drones taking off every four minutes. This milestone highlights ideaForge’s commitment to localizing drone technology and aligns with India’s aim to […] The post ideaForge Reaches 550,000 UAV Flights, Driving India’s Drone Manufacturing Goals appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Contest Expands to Showcase Aerial and Handheld Videography with Over $170,000 in Prizes A Decade of Creativity and Community DJI and SkyPixel have officially launched the 10th Annual SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest, celebrating a decade of stunning aerial photography and videography. From November 7, 2024, to February 10, 2025, participants can submit entries to […] The post DJI and SkyPixel Announce 10th Annual Photo & Video Contest with New “Handheld” Category appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

At DRONELIFE, we are proud of our partnership with DRONERESPONDERS, an international public safety drone community. Here, we are please to present this guest post by Charles Werner, Director of DRONERESPONDERS, on the need to equip first responders with counter drone technology, training, and authority. DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payments for guest posts. Empowering Local Responders […] The post The Security of the National Airspace and the Future of AAM Require Increased Airspace Awareness appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

EnforceAir System Set for Extensive Evaluation in Airport Environments under Cooperative Research Program D-Fend Solutions has announced a new agreement with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) to test its counter-drone technology, EnforceAir, across various government and commercial airport environments. The testing program, conducted under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement […] The post D-Fend Solutions Partners with Naval Surface Warfare Center for Counter-Drone Technology Testing appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article