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In the first episode of Weekly Wings Season 2, hosts Paul Rossi and Terry Neff explore key developments in the drone industry as the new year begins. Watch on the DRONELIFE TV Youtube Channel here. They kick off with discussions on U.S. Army training operations in Romania using Skydio and Anduril drones for reconnaissance and […]
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The latest in an occasional column on bringing products to market in emerging technologies, by industry marketing expert Amy T. Wiegand: Go-to-Market Propeller. Go-to-Market Propeller is the practical support a growing industry needs – getting from innovation to sales. In this article: the importance of competitive analysis. by Amy T. Wiegand Competitive analysis solidifies the […]
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New Infrastructure Supports Waterway Patrol, Rescue, and Retail Delivery in Anji, China A2Z Drone Delivery has introduced a multi-use drone dock network operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). This innovative system supports urban waterway patrols, water rescue operations, and regional retail deliveries in Anji City, China. The rollout represents the company’s initial foray as […]
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2025 is starting off strong for a drone industry that’s hoping for a bit more freedom to fly. That’s because the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a significant new Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver to American Robotics, which a subsidiary of Ondas Holdings. This waiver allows the company’s Optimus System to operate autonomously over people and moving vehicles, monitored remotely from Ondas’ Baltimore Global Control Center. The announcement, hailed as a landmark for autonomous drone operations, underscores both the potential and the challenges of scaling BVLOS technology in the U.S. drone industry.
This latest FAA waiver is poised to enhance American Robotics’ Drone as First Responder (DFR) capabilities. DFR programs use drones to respond to emergencies, inspect critical infrastructure and support defense operations, offering quicker response times and improved situational awareness compared to traditional methods.
But the idea of quickly deploying a drone in places where humans aren’t there (at least not yet) doesn’t work if drones are legally required to be within the eyesight of a visual observer. This BVLOS waiver changes that.
While this waiver is a milestone for American Robotics, it also has broader implications for the U.S. drone industry, particularly for sectors reliant on BVLOS operations like drone delivery.
Some drone delivery companies like Google-sibling Wing have gained similar approvals to fly BVLOS and over people. But even those can be tough to come by, and often are restricted to certain areas. Most of Wing’s U.S. drone deliveries are happening in partnership with Walmart in Dallas. Meanwhile, competitor Matternet is still awaiting FAA approval to conduct drone deliveries in Silicon Valley behind visual line of site. (For now, Matternet’s drone deliveries don’t go more than a couple miles because that’s as far as a visual observer can see).
Alas, this waiver demonstrates the FAA’s increasing confidence in autonomous systems and suggests that the forthcoming FAA Part 108 framework may offer a clearer path for BVLOS operations.
The ability for one Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) to oversee multiple drones, as highlighted by American Robotics, could be transformative. It addresses one of the key barriers to scale: labor costs. However, scalability hinges on regulatory consistency, public trust, and further advancements in detect-and-avoid (DAA) technology.
While American Robotics’ achievement is significant, its application remains largely niche. The Optimus System’s focus on DFR, security, and infrastructure inspection sets it apart from consumer-facing operations like deliveries. The integration with Kestrel airspace management is a strong selling point for safety and efficiency, but it’s unclear how this solution might adapt to the dynamic requirements of urban drone delivery networks.
Still, this waiver represents a critical step in proving the viability of BVLOS operations at scale. Yet to fully unlock the potential of BVLOS drones, the FAA must accelerate regulatory clarity for broader use cases, including delivery and large-scale infrastructure monitoring.
American Robotics is an American drone company based in Waltham, Massachusetts. There, the team designs and builds industrial drone solutions for rugged, real-world environments.
American Robotics really came onto the scene with its Scout System, which is a “drone-in-a-box” product that relies on AI and is capable of continuous, remote operation. In fact, the Scout System was the first FAA-approved drone system for automated operation beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) without a human operator on-site.
American Robotics was purchased by tech giant Ondas Holdings in August 2021. Ondas Holdings’ other drone-related subsidiaries include Israeli drone maker Airobotics, Inc.
The flagship American Robotics product today, the Optimus System, is now used around the world including in the UAE and Israel. It’s been recently deployed in Texas as part of a massive Texas superhighway of tech that spans a 92-mile stretch along Texas State Highway 130 (SH130).
American Robotics plans to showcase its capabilities during a live DFR demonstration in Baltimore on Jan. 16, 2025. The event is expected to highlight scenarios where the Optimus System and Kestrel airspace management solution are deployed in real-world situations.
For American Robotics, the event will be an opportunity to prove that their solutions can handle the complexities of real-world applications. For the industry, it’s a moment to assess how far BVLOS operations have come — and how far they still need to go.
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The Kalashnikov Concern has released a video featuring the first flight of the KUB-10E, a new guided munition (GM) model in the KUB family. It is designed to target enemy light vehicles and armored personnel carriers, command posts, air and missile defense facilities, communications surveillance and jamming sites, logistics infrastructure, combat and logistics units, field […]New Drone Offers Advanced Features and Comprehensive Support for Industrial Cleaning Apellix, an aerial robotics company based in Jacksonville, FL, has introduced its latest innovation, the US1 Power Wash Drone. This new system is designed to make industrial and commercial cleaning safer, more efficient, and cost-effective by incorporating advanced features and offering comprehensive customer support. […]
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FAA BVLOS Waiver for American Robotics Advances Remote Operations Capabilities Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS) has announced that its subsidiary, American Robotics, received a new Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This waiver allows expanded drone operations over people and moving vehicles, managed remotely from the company’s Baltimore […]
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Expanding Public Safety Capabilities with Drones Flock Safety, a company known for its suite of public safety solutions, has acquired Uniform Sierra Aerospace. Uniform Sierra Aerospace, a U.S.-based provider of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for public safety, brings its expertise in American-made, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant drones to Flock’s growing portfolio. This acquisition […]
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New UAV Regulations, Effective January 1, 2025 Nevada Senate Bill 11 (SB11), effective January 1, 2025, places new restrictions on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by public agencies and law enforcement. The law prohibits the purchase or operation of drones and related equipment from certain entities, including those flagged by the U.S. Department […]
The post Nevada Law Restricts Public Safety Agencies from Using DJI Drones, Limits Drone as First Responder Applications appeared first on DRONELIFE.
CES 2025, which is largest considered the largest tech event in the world, runs this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the tech event is set to kick off 2025 with more than 150,000 attendees browsing the offerings from more than 4,000 exhibitors spread across multiple hotels and convention centers in The City that Never Sleeps.
And while the event spans all things tech — from wearable health devices to driverless cars to AI — it certainly means plenty of innovation in the realm of drones. The products revealed and promoted at CES 2025 will set the tone for what the drone industry can expect in the year ahead.
While the event formally kicks off on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 and runs through Friday, Jan. 10, we already have a pretty good idea of what’s to come in terms of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Here’s a sneak peek at what drone pilots can expect from CES 2025:
CES is HUGE, sprawling multiple convention centers in Las Vegas. There’s stuff to see on and off the Strip, which in itself is massive. There’s no way you’ll see everything, but here are some highlights that drone pilots may be interested in:
Most people think of drones flying high in the sky. The drone that’s turning heads at CES 2025 is designed to fly underground.
Built by Sky Flight/Hanseo University, this autonomous underground drone uses LiDAR to navigate and map environments where GPS signals are unavailable. Equipped with 360-degree obstacle detection and AI imaging, it’s designed for tasks like mining, structural inspections, and disaster rescue operations. With real-time data transmission, this drone ensures safety and precision in the most hazardous conditions, setting a new standard for subterranean drone applications.
This drone is so hot that it won the CES Innovation Award for the 2025 Honoree in Drones.
Merging education and entertainment, ALUX built a portable drone that teaches coding in multiple languages, including Python and Scratch, while doubling as a platform for drone-based eSports games. It’s a unique innovation that bridges STEM education and gaming, making drones accessible and fun for the next generation of tech enthusiasts.
Though it’s a new name in the drone world, Alux is positioned to take on a spot as one of the best educational drones for a STEM program. After all, CES judges gave Alux an award as 2025 Honoree in Gaming & eSports.
I’ve briefly written about exterior building cleaning drones in the past, and this drone from Wisson is poised to take teh lead in the cleaning drone industry.
Powered by Pliabot soft robotics technology, Wisson’s cleaning system called the AP3 P3 is a tethered cleaning system specifically designed to be mounted on a drone. It’s best used for tasks like high-rise window cleaning, solar panel maintenance, and more. Key features include:
See it for yourself at Wisson’s CES booth at LVCC, North Hall, # 8262.
CES always entails keynotes, panels and presentations. The CES 2025 speaker lineup is jam-packed, including a keynote from NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang. There’s also set to be a full experience beyond the keynote over at the Sphere, where Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian will give a keynote speech (it’ll be the first keynote ever held at the Sphere), alongside a musical performance by Lenny Kravitz.
But you came for the drone stuff, and there are some great sessions on that front, too. Some stadnouts:
Another award-winning product created by Nearthlab is an advanced station that enables true autonomy for drones in emergency services. Integrated with police systems, Nearthlab’s DFR station automates flight authorization and extends drone flight times beyond traditional battery limits. Designed to maximize uptime, this station ensures drones are always ready for critical incident response, creating a new benchmark for drone reliability and efficiency in public safety and industrial operations.
It won the CES 2025 award for Best of Innovation in Drones.
Like the idea of delivery drones, but concerned about safety given the inevitable whirring of blades?
AIRUS, which comes out of Hanseo University, is using CES 2025 to showcase its Bladeless Drone. This unique style of drone relies on bladeless propulsion technology. And it’s not just safer, but also quieter. AIRUS claims it can reduce noise by more than 40%. Capable of carrying up to 10kg, it uses AI to navigate delivery routes while monitoring in real-time.
If the name Hanseo University sounds familiar, it’s because we mentioned them earlier. They’re also behind the underground drone. Hanseo University is located in South Korea and is known for its engineering and design programs.
CES spans multiple venues, including the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Venetian Expo, and various hotels. Familiarize yourself with the locations of key events and booths using the official CES map and CES 2025 mobile app to avoid unnecessary backtracking.
And do download the app if you’re attending, as it’s helpful for managing your schedule, locating exhibitors and staying updated on last-minute changes. Use it to bookmark sessions, find navigation tips and even get notified about special events and promotions.
I went to CES 2023, and I learned some tips of my own. For starters, be prepared for lots of walking. Bring good walking shoes and snacks. To avoid the crowds, visit the most popular booths early in the morning or late in the day.
And you don’t necessarily have to walk. CES offers shuttle services between major venues, helping attendees save time and energy. Use these services or rideshare apps to navigate the city efficiently, especially if you’re moving between the Strip and off-Strip locations.
One more thing? Bring a portable charger for your phone.
If you’re heading to Vegas for CES 2025 and still haven’t booked a room, cash rates are high. Check out NerdWallet’s guide to the best Las Vegas hotels on points. And while hanging out with the tech people is fun, sometimes you need a break. Escape the chaos of CES with some free and cheap activities in Las Vegas besides tech show floors and crowded keynote audiences.
CES 2025 offers a glimpse into the future of drones, showcasing innovations that address challenges in logistics, emergency response, education, and industrial maintenance. Of course, you probably love all things tech and future if you love drones, and there is plenty of that to go around.
The CES 2025 celebrity speaker lineup includes plenty of other icons worth seeing even outside of the drone industry, including Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, entrepreneur Mark Cuban, businesswoman Martha Stewart and journalist Maria Shriver.
Whether you’re a hobbyist, a professional, or simply a tech enthusiast, this year’s CES promises to inspire and redefine what’s possible with drones.
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