Drones
Keep up to date with the latest commercial and civilian applications of unmanned aircraft – from autonomous sky-faring taxis to swarms of battlefield-ready flying robots.
Latest News
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BMT Sparrow tech uses autonomous modules to steer drone-delivered goods
March 22, 2023If a drone is large and powerful enough to carry packages long distances, then that drone is likely too big and noisy to be landing in amongst trees, houses and bystanders. The BMT Sparrow system could help, by autonomously steering lowered loads. -
Self-steering droids define Zipline's new Platform 2 drone delivery service
March 15, 2023When we last heard about Zipline, the California company was using parachutes to drop packages from its delivery drones to the ground. The firm's just-announced Platform 2 (P2) system, however, lowers loads inside of self-steering "droids." -
Wing shows off AutoLoaders for its drone delivery network
March 09, 2023Food vendors won't have to wait around for Wing's delivery drones to come pick up an order. The company has released video of new "AutoLoader" stations that'll hang onto boxes waiting for a skyhook-style pickup from the next available drone. -
DJI updates sub-250-g entry level camera drone
February 09, 2023DJI is flying out a modest update to its 2021 entry level camera drone. The sub-250-g, compact Mini 2 SE can now fly for ever-so-slightly longer and is capable of transmitting HD video much farther. -
TJ-FlyingFish drone flies through the air and "swims" underwater
February 07, 2023While aerial drones can travel long distances quickly, aquatic drones can explore underwater environments. The TJ-FlyingFish offers the best of both worlds, as it's a flying quadcopter that is also able to make its way through the inky depths. -
SUCOM tech makes for better cellular comms with delivery drones
February 03, 2023While short-range radio remote control may be fine for consumer drones, long-distance delivery drones often use cellular networks to communicate with their operators. A new mobile network system could make the latter method much more reliable. -
MightyFly's new autonomous cargo drone carries 100 lb for 600 miles
January 24, 2023Carrying up to 96 small USPS packages in its internal cargo bay, the new Cento needs nothing more than two parking spaces for takeoff, landing and automatic unloading. MightyFly is working with the FAA to expand its long-range flight authorization. -
Swiss eDrone helps scientists gather eDNA from branches
January 19, 2023If you want to know which animals are present in a given location, a good way of finding out is to look for their cast-off DNA. A new drone is designed to help scientists do so, by autonomously sticking itself to tree branches. -
World's fastest quadcopter sets official Guinness speed record
January 17, 2023Racing quadcopters are insanely light, quick and agile, but they're not typically known for their top-speed figures. Mechanical engineer and hobbyist Ryan Lademann builds his own frames to push the limits, and he's now bagged a Guinness World Record. -
Laser-charged Chinese drone can stay in the air indefinitely
January 12, 2023Researchers at Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xianyang, China, have demonstrated a drone that never needs to land, thanks to a remote charging system that delivers power via an adaptive, target-tracking laser on the ground. -
Top 10 drone innovations that caught our attention in 2022
December 30, 2022The past year has been a big one for drones, both in terms of new models and new capabilities. Here's a list of our picks for the latter, including clever uses of drones and interesting developments in the technology. -
Skydio's streamlined docking stations keep drones charged and in flight
December 20, 2022Startup Skydio’s latest approach to self-charging drones involves affordable and compact base stations that can be deployed in a variety of settings, as it looks to put self-sufficient aircraft in the hands of more and more users. -
Consumer drone adapted to help predict volcanic eruptions
December 20, 2022The analysis of volcanic gases allows scientists to determine what processes are taking place deep within volcanoes. And while big, expensive drones have previously been used to sample those gases, a small consumer model can now do the job. -
Autonomous P-Flap ornithopter uses a claw to perch like a bird
December 19, 2022Flapping-wing drones may be more agile and energy-efficient than their fixed-wing counterparts, but most of them still can't loiter in one spot. A new model addresses that limitation by using a claw mechanism to perch in a bird-like fashion. -
H3 debuts all-in-one hydrogen powertrain pods for long-range flight
December 14, 2022France's H3 Dynamics has presented a self-contained hydrogen propulsion pod for drones and airplanes, delivering huge range and endurance figures without heavy batteries. It mirrors the approach Airbus and others are taking with commercial airliners.
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