California

News, deep dives, and analysis — every California story, newest first.

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Sep 21

Last updated

Skydio

Portland, Maine City Council Rejects Police Drone Program Despite Search-And-Rescue Benefits

Portland, Maine’s City Council voted 4-3 Monday night to reject the police department’s proposal to purchase a $45,000 drone for search-and-rescue operations and accident reconstruction, marking another rare example of sustained citizen resistance to police drone adoption as most U.S. cities rapidly deploy aerial surveillance with minimal public debate. The Portland Police Department sought to…

Haye KestelooNov 19

Skydio

Concord PD Expands Drone-as-First-Responder Program with Skydio X10

The Concord Police Department in California is taking a major step toward the future of public safety and Kron4 News investigate about it. Officials have announced an expansion of their Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, which will use advanced drones to reach emergency scenes faster and provide real-time aerial support to officers on the…

Rafael SuárezNov 7

Firefighters

DJI Drone Helps Firefighters Save Tiny Dog From California Canal

A DJI drone played a key role in saving a small dog fighting for his life in a California canal, proving once again how aerial technology can make

Rafael SuárezNov 6

Technology

Pony.ai’s Driverless Taxi Leap: Why this matters to drone pilots

Pony.ai has launched its first fully driverless robotaxi pilot program in Shenzhen, marking a major step in the company’s effort to make autonomous

Rafael SuárezNov 3

Brinc

Victorville Becomes First Contract City To Launch BRINC Drone First Responder Program With $832K State-Funded Deal

The City of Victorville is set to become the first contract city with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to implement a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, following a unanimous City Council vote earlier this month that approved an $832,000 three-year contract with BRINC Drones. The initiative positions the Southern California desert city at…

Haye KestelooNov 1

Anduril

Anduril’s YFQ-44A Autonomous Fighter Drone Completes First Flight, Marking New Era In AI-Powered Air Combat

Anduril Industries successfully flew its YFQ-44A jet-powered combat drone for the first time on October 31, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s effort to field autonomous “loyal wingman” aircraft that can operate alongside fighter jets. The Los Angeles-based defense tech company and the Air Force confirmed the semi-autonomous flight demonstrates rapid…

Haye KestelooOct 31

DJI

FCC Grants Itself Authority to Retroactively Ban Drones, DJI Neo 2 and L3 LiDAR Leak, Plus $300K Fireworks Fine

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, Halloween edition, where scary politicians create scary laws. I have three stories for you this week: The FCC votes on new powers, DJI drone and payload leaks, and a California homeowner facing a massive $300,000 fine based on—well, you’ll see—drone stuff. FCC Votes to Grant Itself Retroactive Ban…

Greg ReverdiauOct 31

Zipline

1X’s $20,000 NEO Humanoid Robot Launches With A Catch: It Needs Humans To Do Your Chores

California-based 1X Technologies opened pre-orders this week for NEO, the first consumer-ready humanoid robot designed to handle household tasks—but Wall Street Journal testing revealed a surprising reality. The $20,000 robot that promises to fold your laundry and load your dishwasher can’t actually do any of that autonomously yet. Every task requires a remote human operator…

Haye KestelooOct 29

California

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