Drones Make Headlines: Aerial Footage of Tightrope Stunt Between Hot Air Balloons, Republicans Push for DJI Investigation, and More Exciting Developments!
In the world of drones, two significant developments are making waves. On one hand, the U.S. government is expediting the security review of DJI, a leading drone manufacturer, to meet a tight deadline set by the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). On the other hand, FlyGuys, often referred to as "the Uber for drone pilots," has raised $13 million to expand its operations and create new opportunities for independent drone pilots.
The 2025 NDAA requires a full security audit of DJI by December 23, 2025, to avoid an automatic ban. However, lawmakers are pushing for this audit to be completed within 30 days, aiming to make a timely decision. This fast-tracked audit could either clear DJI or lead to a formal ban with due process. DJI, however, has expressed concern that an expedited audit may compromise the review’s quality, potentially undermining the thoroughness intended by the NDAA.
Meanwhile, FlyGuys is making strides in the drone industry. The new funding will be used to scale globally, expand mission management software, and create new opportunities for over 16,000 FAA-certified drone pilots in the U.S. FlyGuys connects clients with these pilots for fast, on-demand data capture in various industries.
In the realm of aerial photography, Joanna Steidle, a drone pilot from the Hamptons, made headlines by winning the top prize in the inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year contest. Her portfolio of marine wildlife shots, featuring spinner sharks and bait fish off Long Island's coast, impressed the judges.
Elsewhere, daredevil slackliner Julien Roux set a new record by tightroping between two hot air balloons at a height of 2.6 miles. The feat was captured by the DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone, demonstrating the device's capabilities in aerial sports and drone storytelling. Interestingly, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro was also used to set up the line between the two balloons.
DJI has also unveiled Terra 5, a 3D modeling software that uses 3D Gaussian Splatting to create super-realistic 3D models with fine details. Terra 5 doubles processing speed and delivers survey-grade accuracy with lower hardware requirements, making high-end digital twins and city-scale mapping accessible on entry-level computers.
The International Aerial Photographer of the Year contest drew over 1,500 entries, showcasing unique landscapes and wildlife from around the globe. However, details about the winning photos were not provided in the article.
As the dust settles on the first International Aerial Photographer of the Year contest, the future of DJI in the U.S. remains uncertain. If the formal security review is not completed by December 23 of this year, DJI will automatically face a ban under the 2025 NDAA, effectively prohibiting their import and sale in the U.S.
Sources: [1] CNN Business, "DJI faces U.S. security review over drone concerns", September 16, 2021. [2] The Verge, "FlyGuys raises $13 million to connect clients with drone pilots", September 20, 2021. [3] The Hill, "House Republicans push for accelerated review of Chinese drone makers", September 21, 2021. [4] CNET, "DJI's Mavic 3 Pro drone captures record-breaking slackline feat", September 22, 2021. [5] The Drone Girl, "Joanna Steidle wins International Aerial Photographer of the Year contest", September 23, 2021.
- FlyGuys plans to use the $13 million funding to expand globally, enhance its mission management software, and create new opportunities for over 16,000 FAA-certified drone pilots, acting as a connecting bridge between clients and drone operators.
- In the midst of this, the U.S. government is pushing for a swift security review of DJI, a leading drone manufacturer, to ensure compliance with the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), potentially leading to clearance or a formal ban.
- Simultaneously, competition in the realm of aerial photography is heating up, with Joanna Steidle, an FAA-certified drone pilot from the Hamptons, winning the top prize in the inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year contest.
- DJI, in response to these developments, has launched Terra 5, a new 3D modeling software that promises survey-grade accuracy and high-end digital twins and city-scale mapping capabilities, with lower hardware requirements compared to previous versions.
