DRONEII’s annual report ranking the top service providers and drone delivery players is out!  Evaluating companies based on company size and growth, public interest and media coverage, and financial data, the listing highlights individual companies – and also highlights the regions where commercial drones are taking off. The Top Drone Service Providers 2023 In the report, drone service providers are referred to as “remote-sensing service providers.”  These are companies that serve a wide variety of enterprise customers; including power companies, oil and gas, infrastructure and agriculture. This year, Malaysian company Aerodyne Group once again tops the list.   Founded in 2014, Aerodyne Group currently has over 1000 employees and reports between 65 – 70 million USD in revenues.  With a global client base, Aerodyne boasts an impressive history of drone-based inspections and aerial sensing. Japan’s Terra Drone ranks second, with the UK’s Cyberhawk coming in 3rd...

Appeals court decision re-instates controversial Texas drone law By DRONELIFE Feature Editor Jim Magill In a blow to the rights of Texas journalists to use drones in their reporting, a federal appeals court panel has reversed a lower court ruling that had found the state’s restrictive drone law unconstitutional. A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 23 overturned a 2022 ruling that had found Chapter 423 of the Texas Government Code violated the First Amendment rights of photojournalists. The appeals court ruling reinstates the controversial law, but leaves the door open for journalists to challenge the application of the law on a narrow case-by-case basis. In a 38-page ruling, the appeals court panel, led by Circuit Judge Don Willett, found that U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman had erred in March 2022 when he agreed that the plaintiffs in the case had “a sweeping First Amendment right to use unmanned aerial drones to film private individuals and property with...

uAvionix has acquired Iris Automation , combining two leading solutions enabling advanced UAS operations.  Jon Damus, formerly CEO of Iris Automation, has been named CEO of uAvionix. uAvionix is a leader in communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) solutions.  Iris Automation™ is a leading provider of optical Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology, both onboard and ground-based.  As the FAA moves to issue more waivers for flight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), DAA solutions can be critical components of a technology solution that meets the FAA’s safety criteria.  The two companies recently announced an innovative integration of uAvionix command and control (C2) with Iris’ DAA technology.  Now, the acquisition will further enable the two companies to leverage their technologies to create a valuable commercial offering.  “This strategic move combines uAvionix’s extensive CNS and aviation expertise with Iris’ leadership in computer vision-based syste...

Skydio’s X10 drone showcases the best in sensor technology.  At the Ascend conference and launch event on September 20, CEO Adam Bry demonstrated the zoom and clarity available – unique on a drone of the X10’s size and weight.  Now, the US-based manufacturer explains their customized Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal camera module. Teledyne FLIR is the leading global manufacturer of thermal imaging sensors, and Skydio’s custom thermal payload for the X10 leverages the “Thermal by FLIR” program to create what the company calls “the most sensitive uncooled thermal drone payload” available. The “Thermal by FLIR” program is a cooperative product development and marketing program, allowing manufacturers to integrate Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules into products.  The Skydio X10’s thermal payload is a customized radiometric Boson+ thermal camera module, “providing unmatched thermal performance and improvements in size, weight, and power (SWaP), critical for inspections, situa...

Wisk Becomes First eVTOL Air Taxi to Fly Publicly in Los Angeles By DRONELIFE Staff Writer Walker Robinson Wisk has become the first Autonomous Air Taxi company to hold a public test in Los Angeles. The test was performed in October and demonstrated the viability of their Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicle. Wisk is a subsidiary of Boeing based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. As an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Company, it is committed to actualizing the future of aerial commuting, providing safe and accessible flights for everyone. The eVTOL air taxi offers a commuter solution to traffic and carbon emission associated with traditional automobiles. Wisk’s newest generation air taxi is fully electric and can carry up to four passengers for a distance up to 90 miles. The test flight was conducted at the Long Beach airport under the supervision of both local and state officials including the mayor of Long Beach, Rex Richardson. “I am proud to see the future of flight be...

Welcome, and thank you for checking out this comparison I’ve made to help you decide whether the DJI Mavic 3 Classic or Mini 3 Pro would be better for your needs. The DJI Mavic 3 Classic and Mini 3 Pro are a bit old hat by now, so I’ve had enough experience with both of them to have my mind solidly made up on which one is a better drone overall. In this article, I’ll review the similarities and differences between the DJI Mavic 3 Classic and Mini 3 Pro, my experiences, and why I prefer to keep using the DJI Mavic 3 Classic over the DJI Mini 3 Pro. Ready? Let’s see why I’ve made up my mind and how this comparison can help you avoid spending your hard-earned money on the wrong drone. Overview DJI Mavic 3 Classic Released about one year ago, the DJI Mavic 3 Classic was a pleasant budget Mavic surprise that breaks the price barrier and makes this drone more accessible to new drone pilots. When we’re looking to balance the price with getting the best image quality out of a came...

The second in an occasional column on bringing products to market in emerging technologies, by industry marketing expert Amy T. Wiegand: Go-to-Market Propeller.  The deep dive on how buyer behavior has changed for drone industry startups- and what to do about it to turn marketing dollars into revenue. By Amy T. Wiegand Marketing has undergone significant transformations in the last ten years, driven by advancements in technology and changes in buyer behavior. Meanwhile tech start-ups have endured start-up challenges and changes in the economy and fundraising markets. In many cases, marketing functions are transitioning to adapt to these changes which impacts revenue. As we evaluate changes, we also plan for 2024 with the same age-old question: How do we meet our revenue goals? The stakes are high. Perhaps finances and profitability aren’t what you want them to be. We all want success. Radical and rapid success. And we strive for TenX+ success adjacent to our favorite key phrase – e...