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.
On May 30, 2025, Parker Police in Colorado used a DJI Matrice drone to locate a missing child, demonstrating the value of aerial technology in search-and-rescue missions. After ground crews failed to find the child in a remote area, the drone’s bird’s-eye view proved crucial, reflecting a growing reliance on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in…
Cleveland, Ohio, is taking a bold step toward modernizing emergency response by exploring the use of drones for fire and EMS 911 calls. The city has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to technology firms, inviting proposals for a “Drone as First Responder” program that could deploy drones to emergency scenes, providing critical real-time data…
On May 29, 2025, the Greenfield Police Department made history as the first in their county to deploy drones as first responders, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance emergency response capabilities. Using the DJI Dock and a modified DJI M30 drone, this initiative marks a significant step forward for law enforcement drone operations, as reported by…
DJI, the titan of the drone industry, is proving its engineering talent stretches far beyond the skies. Known for dominating the drone market first with the Phantom, and now with the Mavic series, the company has now ventured into robot vacuum cleaners with the DJI ROMO, alongside earlier expansions into electric bike motors and self-driving…
In a significant step for public safety, Wichita Falls, Texas, is set to introduce the Aerodrome Drone First Responder, a cutting-edge “super” drone designed to assist first responders. Manufactured by Flock Safety, this drone aims to streamline emergency response operations, offering advanced capabilities like thermal imaging and night vision. As drone technology continues to evolve,…
On May 15, 2025, a fisherman’s quick thinking and drone skills turned a dangerous situation into a life-saving mission on Pensacola Beach, Florida. Andrew Smith, a Pensacola local, used his Swellpro drone to rescue a young girl caught in a rip current, dropping a flotation device to her in a critical moment. In recognition of…
A San Diego judge has mandated the release of 25 Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) drone videos from March 2021, ending a four-year legal battle led by La Prensa publisher Art Castañares. This landmark ruling, reported by CBS 8, requires California police departments to disclose certain drone footage, enhancing public oversight of drone programs. Legal…
A significant wave of resignations and retirements at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is creating uncertainty for the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) community, potentially disrupting critical regulatory processes and safety oversight that the drone industry relies on. According to a May 7 internal presentation reported on by The Wall Street Journal, the FAA is losing…
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