Immediately marks the ultimate Monday of 2022, and earlier than we cruise in 2023, it’s time to look again on the greatest drone information from 2022. 2022 was a yr the place we obtained the lowest-cost, smallest drones but. The drone supply trade continued to remain loud, saying its many new achievements, whether or not it was new certifications or opening in new areas. The drone racing trade obtained a carry with new occasions and product releases. And the coverage/authorities facet was there looming the entire time, making incremental bulletins in regulatory modifications.
Listed below are 12 of the most important tales over the previous yr, chosen based mostly on elements together with their influence within the drone trade, how usually you shared them, what number of feedback they generated, or how a lot curiosity they generated amongst these exterior the core drone trade.
There are actually many extra large drone tales of 2022, however I contained it to those 12. However, you may go away your tackle the most important drone information from 2022 under! These are listed in chronological order, beginning with occasions that occurred firstly of 2022:
March 2022
BVLOS closing report: The Federal Aviation Administration’s Past Visible Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) closing report printed in March 2022. The report establishes a foundation for scaling uncrewed flight within the nationwide airspace. It’s a prolonged report, however in it features a potential new Half 108 license requirement for some drone pilots. You’ll be able to try the total report right here.
Disney drone mild present: Additionally that month, Disney launched a drone mild present, recurring nightly at its park in Paris. It’s referred to as Disney D-Mild, and it’s a roughly 7-minute present that makes use of drones to make shapes like a Mickey Mouse silhouette, in addition to present some sparkle to the backdrop of a lit-up fortress, alongside different options like glowing fountains. It was made to rejoice the thirtieth Anniversary of the Disneyland Paris theme park.
Might 2022
A brand new, small DJI drone: In Might, DJI introduced the third version of its Mini Professional line, the DJI Mini 3 Professional.
This drone stood out as a result of — in 249 grams — we obtained a best-of record of each drone characteristic. It additionally contained some contemporary options, similar to vertical video, which is the video format you need for TikTok or Instagram. And the worth level? A comparatively-affordable $759 (or an even-cheaper $669 if you have already got a distant controller).
Buy the DJI Mini 3 Professional beginning at simply $669 (no controller) or $759 with controller now from:
June 2022
Taser drones (or no taser drones): Not everybody welcomed using drones, together with of us inside the drone group. One controversial instance was on June 2, when train and weapons producer Axon (most well-known for making the Taser), launched plans to construct a Taser-equipped drone. The drone introduced by Axon CEO and founder Rick Smith on June 2 promised to be a non-lethal weapon. Nevertheless it was met with main pushback, together with from the corporate’s personal ethics board.
In response, Axon shortly shifted instructions and put a pause on these plans.
August 2022
A Cinewhoop type FPV drone from DJI: In August, DJI launched its first-ever Cinewhoop-style drone referred to as Avata. It weighs simply 405 grams and is simply 180×180 mm (in regards to the measurement of a #2 wooden pencil), and it’s good for flying inside.
Pair Avata with the DJI Goggles 2 and the DJI Movement Controller, and you’ve got an extremely engrossing flight expertise — whether or not you’re a beginner to FPV or an skilled pilot.
The primary European drone certification: Starting on the primary day of 2024, drone operators in Europe are going to want to fly a drone with a particular class identification label in the event that they wish to fly for many varieties of use circumstances, whether or not they’re flying for pastime or leisure functions.
These class identification labels have slowly change into extra widespread, having made a serious leap in August 2022 once we obtained the first-ever certification of a drone (which was the DJI Mavic 3 drone). Thus, we obtained the next granting of a category identification label. Within the case of the DJI Mavic 3 (and future drones that get that C1 certification), pilots who opt-in to getting the label can now fly within the open A1 class (extra on that later) while not having any type of further allow, as was in any other case the case previous to certification.
September 2022
Distant ID regulation goes into impact (type of): The Federal Aviation Administration’s Distant ID regulation went into impact on Sept. 16, 2022. However whereas the rule technically did “go into impact,” there are phases. The primary section pertains to producers solely — stating that newly-manufactured drones have to be Distant ID-compliant (the second section, which applies to pilots, doesn’t kick in till 2023). And even nonetheless, “impact” is a little bit of a free time period. The FAA mentioned that, not less than firstly, enforcement could be minimal-to-nonexistent.
DJI’s Sky Metropolis headquarters opened: The Shenzhen DJI headquarters lastly opened, referred to as DJI Sky Metropolis. Previous to the brand new Sky Metropolis headquarters, DJI staff had been scattered amongst a number of Shenzhen buildings. And since Shenzhen, China, is taken into account one of many high ten UNESCO Cities of Design naturally the design of the Shenzhen DJI headquarters is totally gorgeous. That’s one picture above, however try this gallery for extra.
Drones assist with hurricane response: Hurricane Ian tore by means of Florida between Sep 23, 2022 – Sep 30, 2022, marking the deadliest hurricane to strike the state of Florida because the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Whereas removed from welcome, Hurricane Ian did present a possibility for drones to be put to the take a look at. Some drones from NASA even flew into the attention of the hurricane.
November 2022
Wing launches drone deliveries with DoorDash: DoorDash, which is the biggest meals supply firm within the U.S., launched a drone supply take a look at challenge with Wing, the drone supply sibling firm of Google.
In contrast to most different Wing drone supply exams, the place prospects ordered meals from companies by means of Wing’s app, this Doordash drone supply take a look at is notable as a result of it’s the first time Wing is permitting its meals to be ordered by means of a third-party app — on this case, DoorDash’s app.
December 2022
Matternet will get FAA certificates: In one other step ahead for the U.S. drone supply scene, the FAA accredited its first ever Manufacturing Certificates for a supply drone, which went to Matternet. That makes Matternet the primary (and at the moment solely) firm in a position to produce licensed supply drones within the U.S.
DroneUp expands all through Walmart shops: The yr actually completed up with drone supply information from all the large gamers. And in mid-December, drone supply firm DroneUp introduced that it had formally kicked off its drone supply operations in partnership with Walmart, with a selected emphasis in TeXas. The identical week that DroneUp’s deliveries in Texas launched, DroneUp additionally started operations in Arizona and Florida, with Utah to observe. DroneUp already had exams entering into Arkansas.
What was your high story on the planet of drone information in 2022? Essentially the most impactful, controversial, or significant — I wish to hear it! Go away it within the feedback under!
