drones

National Highways agency uses virtual reality test to see if drivers are distracted by introduction of low-flying drones I’m barrelling down the motorway at 70mph, swerving from lane to lane, with cars speeding past me. There’s just one problem, I don’t have a driving licence. Or at least it would be a problem were this a real road test. But despite the life-like surroundings, I am in fact triall…

In 2026, drone technology has reached unprecedented heights, revolutionising industries and everyday life. With cutting-edge advancements in AI, battery longevity, and precision engineering, drones are more valuable than ever. Here are the top 10 benefits and uses of drones this year: 1. Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Drones equipped with multispectral sensors and AI-driven analysis tools are…

As the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Program moves from competition to procurement, emerging drone companies are taking center stage The Department of War announced this week that its Drone Dominance Program has received its first order and launched Gauntlet II, marking a new phase for an initiative designed to rapidly field low-cost military drones while expanding […] The post Beyond the Primes: Dr…

Fort Worth PD ‘test drives’ vendors’ DFR systems By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill As police departments across the country are increasingly adding drones as first responder programs to their arsenal of law enforcement tools, each agency has to make decisions as to what set of DFR systems will best fit the needs of their […] The post Fort Worth Takes a Vendor-Neutral Approach to Building It…

New assessment partnership could help allied manufacturers access the U.S. market while supporting trusted supply chain goals As the United States works to reduce dependence on Chinese drone manufacturers, a new partnership between Taiwan and AUVSI’s Green UAS program may offer a model for how trusted foreign suppliers could help address near-term gaps in drone […] The post Taiwan’s Green UAS Mil…

Ordinary Taiwanese, young and old, are joining courses to learn how to fly drones amid looming China military threat In a small, crowded room in Taipei, Pan Chien-chin is trying to keep a drone hovering steadily. Imagining himself flying a plane, he gently nudges controller joysticks to guide the insect-like device as it hums through the air. Cheers break out as Pan, who has never flown a drone b…

A 200$ drone, a 25$ SDR dongle, and an afternoon. That’s all it took. It started with a bet. A friend — let’s call him Marcus — works in physical security. He runs RF site surveys for corporate clients. The kind of work where you walk into a building with a spectrum analyzer, a directional antenna, and a laptop, and you spend two days mapping every wireless signal in the place. He charges $8K per…

New FCC action removes certain toy drones from the Covered List and outlines the characteristics federal officials consider low risk. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has updated its Covered List to remove a narrowly defined category of foreign-produced “Toy Drones” and “Toy Drones that contain foreign-produced components.” The action follows a June 12, 2026 National […] The post FCC C…

The El Dorado Hills company says it now serves more than 120 energy and utility organizations globally and has logged more than 63 million flights as operators prepare for FAA Part 108. AirData UAV has announced that it has surpassed 120 energy and utility customers worldwide, a milestone the El Dorado Hills, California company is positioning […] The post AirData Marks Energy and Utility Growth M…

By Dronelife Features Editor Jim Magill Faced with growing challenges posed by drones flown by malicious actors, Western European nations are working to ramp up their home-grown production of UAVs and counter-UAS technology and to shorten the supply chains needed to produce that technology. Recognizing the need to site UAS manufacturing in the regions where […] The post First DroneShield Products…

European companies combine detection, command-and-control, and interception technologies in layered air defense approach European counter-drone company Alpine Eagle and Latvian defense technology firm Origin Robotics have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate their technologies into a unified counter-drone system. The agreement will combine Origin Robotics’ BLAZE interceptor with Alpi…

Shares of SpaceX surged Tuesday, pushing the Elon Musk-led company above Amazon and into a neck-and-neck race with Microsoft for the title of the world's fourth-most valuable public company less than a week after its blockbuster $75 billion IPO. Read More

Watching a seabird burst out of the ocean or a mobula ray launch itself into the air makes the transition from water to sky seem effortless. For drones, however, performing the same maneuver is extremely difficult. Researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) are now studying how to make this challenging transition smoother and […] The post How drones could leap from water into the air …

Inspired by Ariel Waldman’s docuseries Life Unearthed, columnist Annalee Newitz explores how microscopes, drones and specialised cameras are giving us an unprecedented view of nature from many different vantage points

As offshore energy assets move farther from shore, operators face growing challenges in inspection, maintenance, and emergency response. This week, maritime autonomous infrastructure developer WaiV Robotics announced its official entry into the U.S. market, bringing its autonomous drone launch and recovery technology to offshore operators across the country. The London-based company says its plat…

New company reflects broader shift from commercial drone services to defense and counter-drone systems Japan’s Terra Drone Corporation has established a new company in Estonia, creating a European base for its growing defense business. The new subsidiary, Terra Defense Europe, will support sales, maintenance, logistics management, and local partnerships for defense-related unmanned systems across…

Study Examines Potential Role of Drones in Future Transplant Logistics All images, courtesy NASA. A new research collaboration between the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), NASA Langley Research Center, and LifeNet Health has demonstrated the successful transportation of human kidneys by drone beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), marking a significant step in exploring […] The post NASA, U…

In April, for the first time ever, an Earth observation satellite found what it was looking for, all on its own.

This guide offers a calm, clear path to choosing and using aerial photography drones for smooth, detailed images. You will learn how to evaluate cameras, flight safety features, and accessories that support consistent results. We highlight one reliable model and share practical tips for framing, exposure, and post-workflow. A concise FAQ answers common questions with gentle, helpful advice. Choos…

WingXpand will work with Verizon Frontline and emergency teams to explore new tools for disaster assessment and community resilience As severe weather events continue to affect communities across the United States, drone and autonomous aircraft technologies are gaining attention as tools to support emergency response. This week, St. Louis-based WingXpand announced its participation in the […] The…