Drones

Coming in all shapes and sizes, from tiny quad-copters to gargantuan solar-powered fixed-wing designs, drones are set to transform our lives in myriad ways. Having already made a huge impact in the military, numerous companies and research teams are exploring the commercial and civilian applications of unmanned aircraft – from autonomous sky-faring taxis to swarms of battlefield-ready flying robots.

Drones Audio available

In-flight charging gives drones unlimited autonomous range

Loz Blain September 17, 2018

Global Energy Transmission (GET) has pioneered a mid-air inductive recharging system that can charge up several drones at once without requiring them to land. Build enough of these stations, and you can have an army of drones in the air that never need to land.

Drones

BShark's hydrogen-powered Narwhal 2 flies for 2 hours, and transmits nearly 20 miles

Loz Blain September 16, 2018

BShark has moved mountains to bring down the price of its long-range Narwhal 2 drone. Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, this 6.6-kg monster flies for up to two hours, transmits up to 30 km and costs US$6,800, making it an attractive option for industrial inspection and surveillance applications.

BShark's Narwhal 2 offers two hours endurance and 30 km range for both control and video ...

Drones Audio available

"Live" shapeshifting canopy uses drones to keep guests in the shade

Nick Lavars September 11, 2018

A new system from the University of Stuttgart explores how drones can give rise to a novel form of intelligent architecture, demonstrated through an adaptive canopy that changes its configuration as the sun moves through the sky.

The Cyber Physical Macro Materials project from above

Drones

Battery-packed drone can fly for up to 2 hours per charge

Paul Ridden September 11, 2018

Many battery-powered drones are limited by a relatively short battery life. California's Impossible Aerospace says its upcoming US-1 drone will fly for much, much longer per charge than competitors, and should put electric drones on a par with gas-fueled systems.

Impossible Aerospace has already started selling its US-1 long range drone to firefighters, police departments and ...

Drones

Gas-sensing drones that map clouds of harmful pollution from the air

Nick Lavars September 4, 2018

Knowing where harmful airborne pollutants are and in what concentrations would be an invaluable capability, and one that a team of Rice University scientists is making great headway on with their autonomous gas-sensing drones.

Drones

Self-piloting drone ambulance concept nets $20,000 FAI prize

Darren Quick September 3, 2018

Vincenzo Navanteri has been awarded the US$20,000 Prince Alvaro de Orleans-Borbon Grant at the 2nd annual FAI International Drone Conference and Expo in Lausanne, Switzerland over the weekend for his idea of a self-piloting drone ambulance.

The drone ambulance concept designed to autonomously carry a single injured passenger

Drones

DJI Mavic 2 Zoom vs. 2 Pro vs. Mavic Pro vs. Pro Platinum vs. Air

Michael Irving August 30, 2018

DJI has now launched the Mavic 2 series, equipping a 2x optical zoom onto the Mavic 2 Zoom, and kitting out the Mavic 2 Pro with a 20-MP, 1-in CMOS sensor by Hasselblad. New Atlas compares the specs and features of the new Mavic 2 Zoom and Pro, and the Mavic Pro, Pro Platinum and Air.

New Atlas compares the specs and features of DJI's Mavic Pro, Pro Platinum, Air, 2 Zoom ...

Drones Review Audio available

Review: DJI Mavic 2 Zoom and Pro drones present an agonizing choice

Loz Blain August 28, 2018

DJI's new super-portable Mavic 2 drones have landed, and they're an impressive upgrade from the previous model. Now, you get to choose whether you want a gorgeous Hasselblad-developed Pro lens, or a fully integrated 2x optical zoom on your Mavic – and the choice isn't as simple as we first thought.

Drones

Spry drone flies through the air – and under the water

Ben Coxworth August 28, 2018

If you're looking for a quadcopter that can land on the water's surface to shoot underwater video – well, that would be Urban Drones' Splash Drone. Now, the company has joined forces with tech firm SwellPro to create the Spry drone, which can actually make short "flights" beneath the surface.

Drones

DJI Mavic 2 series gets Hasselblad camera, optical zoom

Paul Ridden August 23, 2018

Almost 2 years after the Mavic Pro made an appearance, DJI has announced the next generation Mavic camera drones. The Mavic 2 Pro is the first in the world to feature an integrated Hasselblad camera while the Mavic 2 Zoom is the first foldable consumer drone to come with optical zoom.

DJI is calling the new Mavic 2 series a marvel of modern engineering