Since 2011, China has become a major exporter of armed drones, says a new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Texas A&M University.
China is a major exporter of armed drones
EHang demonstrates synchronous flying air taxis
The Chinese developer of heavy lift drones EHang has put a new video online showing how five electrically powered air taxis perform a flight in a nicely synchronized manner. With the demonstration, the company wants to show the benefits of centralized flight coordination. In its home country of China, the company wants to fly with air taxis to thirteen cities.
As DJI officially announces the Agras T20, it launches the T10 and T30 in China
DJI officially announces the agricultural drone, the Agras T20, while at the same time introducing its new flagship, the Agras T30, and smaller T10 in China, during the DJI Dajing conference in Shenzhen.
EHang presents cargo drone with a payload of 440 Lbs
Chinese company EHang – known for its electric air taxis – has announced a freight version of the EHang 216 autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV). The EHang 216L heavy-lift multirotor cargo drone is capable of transporting loads of up to 200 kg. The system should enable short and medium-haul air freight transport in both rural and urban environments.
Certain foreign-made drones cannot be bought with DOJ grant funds
DJI training at Whampoa Military Academy is not just a weekend team-building event
The four-day DJI training at the historic military academy is not merely a weekend team-building event, as explained by a DJI spokesperson. Nor is it a corporate paintball adventure, as suggested by some of our readers. The military-style training took place at the historic Whampoa Military Academy and had a strong focus on education, creating good habits, and experiencing “life of the barracks and cultivating the hard-working spirit and perseverance.”
DJI military training required for all employees in China to ‘prepare for war’
Ok, here’s the latest. DJI military training is required for all employees in China to ‘prepare for war’ as the world’s largest drone maker is undergoing radical changes in company culture and employees.
Updated as of 11:50 am on 9/25/2020 with an official response from DJI. See below for details.
Read part 2 here.
FAA moves slowly on Type Certification of drones
Earlier this year the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted a notice on the Federal Register about the type certification of drones. 67 individuals and organizations commented among whom Brendan Schulman from DJI, and in a separate comment, the People’s Republic of China.
EHang 216 performs sightseeing flights with passengers on board
Securing Our Skies Against Chinese Technology Act of 2020, the latest threat against Chinese-made drones
Here’s the latest push against Chinese-made drones from Arizona Sen. Martha McSally. Her proposal, titled “Securing Our Skies Against Chinese Technology Act of 2020,” would prevent state and local agencies from using federal money to buy or operate such technology.
EHang obtains approval from Chinese authorities to test passenger drone
EHang announced that the company has received approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to test its passenger drone, the EHang 216. The company says that it “became the world’s first AAV company approved by a national aviation authority to carry out commercial pilot operation for the category of 330-pound-plus heavy-lift air logistics uses,” in China.
Drone light show was part of the Wuhan ‘unlocking’ celebrations
After 76 days of being in lockdown, the city of Wuhan in China reopened again this morning. The unlocking of the city, where the coronavirus outbreak started, was celebrated with a massive light show that included a drone light show as well. The drone light show was organized by ZeroTech and HighGreat.