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:
Drone Girl’s ultimate guide to CES 2025
Top 6 things to see at 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:
1. An underground drone
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.
2. A drone for “edutainment”: learn how to code and play games with this drone
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.
3. A cleaning drone of the future
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:
- Compact versatility: Lightweight at 1.3kg, it can be outfitted on popular drones like the DJI M300 and the DJI M350.
- Safety and stability: AI-enabled adaptability ensures safe operation even in direct contact with buildings.
- Efficiency: Capable of cleaning up to 800㎡ per hour.
See it for yourself at Wisson’s CES booth at LVCC, North Hall, # 8262.
4. All sorts of panels and workshops
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:
- Robotics & The Future of Farming
When: Wednesday, January 8, 3 – 3:40 p.m.
Where: LVCC, West Level 2, W218
This session delves into agricultural robotics, including drone pollination and swarm harvesting, offering insights into how drones are transforming the farming industry. - Bleep Boop Bake: Welcome to The Food Robot Revolution
When: Thursday, January 9, 1 – 1:40 p.m.
Where: Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4302
Featuring Flytrex CEO Yariv Bash, this session explores how drones and robotics are revolutionizing food delivery and hospitality. Flytrex famously operates drone deliveries for brands including Jersey Mike’s.
5. Increased focus on the Drone First Responders front
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.
6. An urban delivery drone system with no blades
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.
Navigate CES 2025 like a pro
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.
General Las Vegas tips
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: the bottom line
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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