Drones

The startup, which now only sells its self-flying drones to entities like law enforcement, utility services, and construction companies, raised $170 million in an extension round of funding, according to TechCrunch.

A pitch deck viewed by TechCrunch says government scrutiny over China-based drone companies, like DJI, could help give Skydio “tailwinds” when it comes to sales in the US.

Even as DJI fights the label of “Chinese Military Company” in the US, rival Skydio is facing similar scrutiny in China. Three weeks ago, China froze its assets because it allegedly provided military assistance to Taiwan.

Skydio says its only Taiwanese customer is the National Fire Agency — and that the move will impact battery supplies for months.

The $199 DJI Neo wasn’t the affordable FPV drone it could have been, because the goggles were too expensive! But DJI’s apparently about to change that — with budget goggles that swap out per-eye Micro-OLED luxury for a cheaper single screen.

Today, DJI’s least expensive goggles cost $349, and even those don’t work with the Neo. Hoping for sub-$200 here.

There’s never been a cheaper, easier-to-use DJI drone than the $200 Neo for self-flying selfies.

But I’m so torn. The foldable $350 HoverAir X1 seems better for my social video needs. It filmed my opening shot below! But I love soaring with FPV goggles, which Hover can’t do. Maybe I’ll wait and see if DJI sells a budget FPV bundle.

Most drones are aimed at relatively technical pilots — but that’s changing! The DJI Avata lets beginners experience flying like they’re in the cockpit; the HoverAir X1 is a pocketable self-flying camera.

While we originally thought the Neo might chase HoverAir, it sounds like it could double as a cheaper Avata, too! I wish my Mini 2 worked with the motion controller and goggles.

Canadian officials now say that in addition to the drone practice spying incident earlier this week, "additional information has come to our attention regarding previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games."

Canada Soccer CEO & General Secretary Kevin Blue:

In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend Women’s National Soccer Team Head Coach, Bev Priestman for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and until the completion of our recently announced independent external review.

According to a release by French prosecutors, Joseph Lombardi, the “unaccredited analyst” with Canada’s Olympic women’s soccer team, accepted a suspended eight month imprisonment sentence after admitting to spying on New Zealand’s team to learn its tactics.

The sport’s governing body has opened proceedings against Canada Soccer, while New Zealand has asked that no points be awarded to Canada if it wins today.

Really.

NZOC:

On July 22, a drone was flown over the New Zealand women’s football team training session in St Etienne.

Team support members immediately reported the incident to police, leading to the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the wider Canadian Women’s football team, to be detained.

Canada -- the defending champ -- plays New Zealand Friday. TSN notes Honduras accused Canada's men's team of drone spying in 2021, while France's prime minister said security is intercepting six drones per day.

I’m not saying you should go crowdfund a Bionic Bird X-Fly, as you’ll hear in my hands-on video below. I’m just saying that biomimetic ornithopters are surprisingly fun — and way less disruptive than your typical whiny quad-propeller drone!

Instead of risking your life to reach the world’s tallest peak, just full screen this captivating footage captured by a DJI Mavic 3 Pro traveling from Everest base camp at 17,598 feet, to its summit at 29,032 feet.

The drone’s flight follows the same route used by hikers, and soars over several of Everest’s recognizable landmarks.

Texas-based Sky Elements has come up with something the entire country can get behind. It says it’s the first company to receive FAA approval “to attach fireworks to drones,” merging a longtime Fourth of July tradition with the aerial light shows that are growing in popularity.

It’s calling the innovation Pyro drones, which should now be mandatory for every national holiday.

Dennis Winn, the suspect, admits he fired what he characterized as a single warning shot.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office: “A bullet hole was discovered in the payload the drone was carrying.”

Shooting at aircraft is illegal, period; in addition to that, he’s also charged with “Criminal mischief damage over $1,000” and “Discharging a firearm in public or residential property.”

The company has updated its DJI Mimo iOS app with a handy (or wristy?) new feature that allows the stabilized gimbal to be remotely operated from an Apple Watch.

According to DroneDJ, that includes remotely monitoring live video from an iPhone, adjusting the framing of a shot by panning and tilting the gimbal, snapping pics, starting and stopping video capture, and activating subject tracking.

It’s a police-operated drone. WIRED took a deep look into how one California city is using the aerial devices to collect information before responding in-person to some incidents. After analyzing 10,000 flight records over a two-year period, WIRED found poorer residents had more contact with the drones. But most Chula Vista residents interviewed said they supported the program.