News, deep dives, and analysis — every California story, newest first.
Toyota Motor Corporation is doubling down on its investment in electric air taxis, announcing a $500 million investment in Joby Aviation. This move aims to support the certification and commercial production of Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The news was reported by Joby Aviation on October 2, 2024. Investment Details The $500…
Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have prohibited law enforcement from using armed drones and robots in California. The veto of AB 2681, reported by The Sacramento Bee, allows police to continue deploying remotely operated devices equipped with weapons. Proposed Ban on Weaponized Robots Assemblywoman Akilah Weber introduced AB 2681, which aimed…
A new study using drone technology has uncovered a potentially serious environmental threat in the Arctic. Researchers have discovered that permafrost along the Yukon River contains alarmingly high levels of mercury, posing risks to local communities and ecosystems as the frozen ground thaws. Drone-Assisted Research Uncovers Hidden Danger Researchers led by Isabel Smith from the…
San Francisco police have been using drones to catch car break-in suspects and investigate sideshows for months, but internal emails reveal the department knowingly broke the law by purchasing these crime-fighting tools. Now, the SFPD is asking city leaders to approve the drones retroactively, after ignoring warnings from within its own ranks, reports The San…
The Beverly Hills City Council has voted 4-1 to oppose Senate Bill 99, which would prohibit the use of several drones operated by the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD). This information comes from a report on the Beverly Hills city website. Proposed Bill Targets Chinese-Made Drones SB 99, authored by Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana),…
Rain, a startup founded by Maxwell Brodie, is developing software that could revolutionize wildfire response by enabling autonomous helicopters to tackle fires in their earliest stages. This innovative approach aims to significantly reduce response times and prevent small fires from growing out of control, according to Fast Company. From Personal Experience to Innovative Solution Brodie’s…
Belmont, California is set to launch a new drone program, equipping its police department, first responders, and public works officials with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for the first time. This move, reported by The Daily Journal, puts the Peninsula city in line with a growing national trend of adopting drone technology for municipal operations. Enhancing…
SharkEye, a pioneering initiative at the University of California Santa Barbara’s Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory (BOSL), is using drones and artificial intelligence to monitor shark activity and protect swimmers at Padaro Beach, California. According to CNN, this innovative approach combines drone surveillance with machine learning to enhance shark detection accuracy. The SharkEye System SharkEy
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