Skydio Under Fire: Industry Experts Slam US Drone Maker’s Tactics

The US drone industry is in turmoil as professionals criticize Skydio’s marketing and lobbying efforts. The controversy, unfolding on LinkedIn, centers on accusations that Skydio is trying to legislate competitors out of the market rather than compete on product quality.

Note: Are you a current or former Skydio employee with insights into the drone maker’s culture, lobbying efforts, or business practices? We’d like to hear from you. Please contact Haye @ DroneXL.co to share your information confidentially. We prioritize source protection and handle all information with discretion. Your input is valuable and appreciated.

Experts Voice Concerns

Bobby Ouyang, Co-Founder & CEO at SkyeBrowse, didn’t mince words:

“Not only is your lobbying crippling existing life-saving technology, but also it’s hindering innovation at large.”

Kyle Nordfors, UAS Chairman for the Mountain Rescue Association, echoed this sentiment, stating:

“Skydio has the WORST reputation in public safety for all of the political posturing the company has taken. There is no way that Skydio can claim to be for helping public safety when it’s lobbying efforts have helped to strip agencies of life saving tools.”

Product Performance Issues

Mark Colborn, a retired Senior Corporal/Instructor Pilot from Dallas PD, shared his disappointing experience with Skydio drones:

“Try to fly it further than about 1500′ and it totally loses signal. Oh, and couldn’t fly it at night either. We begged you guys for 5-years to give us a drone with a decent thermal camera (not an essentially useless digitally enhanced 320p), and when you did, you made us pay extra to use it.”

Kall Kadah, VP of Sales at Paladin, said the following about Skydio:

“Nobody would be speaking out against Skydio like this if they simply suspended their lobbying efforts and prioritized product and competition… Skydio is harming hundreds of US based drone manufacturers and service providers every single day.”

Lobbying and Legislation Concerns

Vic Moss, a UAS Regulatory Subject Matter Expert, expressed concern about Skydio’s legislative efforts:

“Skydio is actively destroying the U.S. drone industry. Whether intentional or not, their direct ties to Representative Stefanik are being used to push the leading manufacturers out of the U.S. market.”

Luis Figueiredo, a Public Safety UAS Program Developer, added:

“Instead of prioritizing real progress, Skydio chose the lobbying route, eliminating competition at the expense of the very communities and agencies they claim to serve.”

Skydio’s Defense

Macario Namie, Chief Marketing Officer at Skydio, defended the company’s position:

“At Skydio we have been open and unapologetic that we are 100% committed to a thriving U.S. drone industry. We believe that our nation’s critical industries should not be using technology that is dependent on our adversary.”

Industry Impact

The controversy surrounding Skydio’s tactics has sparked a heated debate about the future of the US drone industry. Many professionals argue that legislative efforts to ban certain manufacturers could have unintended consequences for public safety and innovation.

DroneXL’s Take

The ongoing controversy surrounding Skydio’s lobbying efforts and its impact on the drone industry continues to evolve. As recently reported, Skydio has launched a National Security Advisory Board, further solidifying its position in the public safety and military sectors. However, this move has also intensified scrutiny of the company’s lobbying practices.

Our coverage of Skydio CEO Adam Bry’s recent update on drones in public safety highlighted the potential benefits of the company’s technology, but also raised important questions about the impact of their lobbying efforts on market competition and innovation.

The controversy even reached state-level politics, with a Florida deputy manager being fired over secret lobbyist work for Skydio, underscoring the complex web of interests at play in this debate.

This issue came to a head during a Florida Senate Committee meeting in March 2023, where Skydio was accused of “pimping” for government contracts by Senator Jason Pizzo. The meeting highlighted significant concerns about the limitations of Blue sUAS drones and the potential negative impacts of phasing out DJI drones prematurely.

As the industry grapples with these challenges, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced perspective that considers both national security concerns and the need for a competitive, innovative drone market. We encourage our readers to stay informed and engaged in these important discussions that will shape the future of drone technology in public safety and beyond.

What are your thoughts on this ongoing debate? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Are you a current or former Skydio employee with insights into the drone maker’s culture, lobbying efforts, or business practices? We’d like to hear from you. Please contact haye @ DroneXL.co to share your information confidentially. We prioritize source protection and handle all information with discretion. Your input is valuable and appreciated.