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Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Founder of DroneXL.co, where he covers all drone-related news, DJI rumors and writes drone reviews, and of EVXL.co, for all electric vehicle news. Haye can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo. Also on LinkedIn, Muck Rack, Instagram and YouTube.

6,443
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273
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2020
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Sep 29
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DJI Enterprise Teases Possible Zenmuse L3 LiDAR Payload For November 4 Launch
DJI

DJI Enterprise Teases Possible Zenmuse L3 LiDAR Payload For November 4 Launch

DJI Enterprise has released a teaser pointing to a November 4, 2025 launch event at 7 AM EST, with leaked photos suggesting the reveal could be a new LiDAR mapping payload—possibly the rumored Zenmuse L3. The cryptic tagline “See Through, Far and True” accompanied by a distinctive pink/purple display screen visible in both the teaser…

DJI Mini 5 Pro's 250-Gram Problem: Inside The Last-Minute Design Changes That Broke The Weight Limit
DJI

DJI Mini 5 Pro’s 250-Gram Drone Problem: Inside The Last-Minute Design Changes That Broke The Weight Limit

An industry insider has revealed the specific pre-production decisions that pushed the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone over the critical 250-gram regulatory threshold, ending four generations of the company’s success in the sub-250g category. According to the long-time trusted DroneXL source, two last-minute design changes—new propellers and an upgraded speaker—added approximately four grams total, transform

Drone Surveillance Nets $300,000 Fine For California Homeowner Who Says He “Wasn’t Even Home”
Legal

Drone Surveillance Nets $300,000 Fine For California Homeowner Who Says He “Wasn’t Even Home”

A California homeowner faces a staggering $300,000 fine after a city drone recorded illegal fireworks at his property on July 4th—even though he insists he wasn’t there. The case, part of a nearly $1 million drone enforcement crackdown in Stanton, raises troubling questions about warrantless aerial surveillance, constitutional protections against excessive fines, and whether property…

China’s Military Deploys Cost-Efficient DeepSeek AI Across Drone Swarms and Robot Dogs
China

China’s Military Deploys Cost-Efficient DeepSeek AI Across Drone Swarms and Robot Dogs

China’s People’s Liberation Army has rapidly integrated DeepSeek artificial intelligence into military weapons systems ranging from autonomous combat vehicles to drone swarms, according to a Reuters investigation that reviewed hundreds of research papers, patents, and procurement records. The development threatens to reshape the balance of autonomous warfare capabilities between Beijing and Washin

DJI’s High-Tech ROMO Vacuum Debuts in Europe — US Launch Stalled by Ban Threat?
China

DJI’s High-Tech ROMO Vacuum Debuts in Europe — US Launch Stalled by Ban Threat?

DJI’s new ROMO vacuum promises to dodge socks — and possibly US bans. Why are American homes left out of the robotic cleaning revolution? DJI officially launched its ROMO Series robot vacuum cleaners in Europe today, bringing millimeter-level obstacle sensing and drone-inspired navigation to home cleaning. The advanced cleaning robots are now available in Germany,…

American Drone Hobby Faces Accessibility Crisis as Bans, Regulations, and Market Forces Converge
DJI

American Drone Hobby Faces Accessibility Crisis as Bans, Regulations, and Market Forces Converge

The United States drone hobby is under severe pressure from multiple directions simultaneously, threatening to transform the most accessible entry point into aviation into an increasingly expensive and restricted pursuit. While Canadian and European enthusiasts enjoy flourishing drone communities with sensible regulations, U.S. hobbyists face an impending manufacturer authorization freeze, abandon

DJI Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 5 Pro: The Biggest Upgrade Has Nothing to Do With Image Quality
Department of Homeland Security

Wisconsin Proposes Law Letting Police Shoot Down Drones Despite Federal Ban

Wisconsin lawmakers are circulating legislation that would authorize police to shoot down drones they deem threats to public safety—a move that directly contradicts federal law making it a felony to destroy any aircraft, including drones. The bill, coauthored by Rep. Chuck Wichgers (R-Muskego) and Sen. Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin), would grant law enforcement unprecedented authority…

Hong Kong Drones Slash Medical Delivery Times to Islands
Amazon

Hong Kong Just Gave Drones Their Own Airwaves — and Left the FAA in the Dust

While the FAA drafts its 700‑page BVLOS rule, Hong Kong’s drones are already flying under their own spectrum. Hong Kong’s Communications Authority has launched a dedicated frequency license specifically for drone communications, marking a significant infrastructure investment in the city’s rapidly expanding low-altitude economy. The 1430-1444 MHz band (1.4 GHz band) will provide an alternative…

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