We’ve only reached Wednesday and it’s already been a busy week for drone news. Read on to find out about DJI’s plans for future models, a successful drone festival in Paris and what Europe is up to in terms of centralised drone regulation.
DJI to Announce New Products This Month
Having recently announced the Osmo Mobile at IFA 2016 in Berlin, DJI is wasting no time stoking the fires of speculation about what’s next for the company. In an interview with Engadget, Adam Najberg, DJI's Global Director of Communications, stated, on the topic of future products:"If I can take it out of my jacket pocket and throw it up into the air, or just put it on the ground and push a button, and it goes up and it takes a photo that's the kind of functionality."
This offers up a candid insight into DJI’s desire to enter the growing ‘selfie drone’ marketplace. This focus on ease of use and accessibility has already presented itself in the form of the Osmo Mobile but it seems that the Shenzhen-based drone manufacturer is looking to broaden its horizons. Najberg went on to say:"What it comes down to is, if you have that phone in your pocket, it can become a controller for a lifestyle drone... then why not?"
Now DJI has announced an event which will take place on 27th September 2016 - it seems likely that we'll be hearing more about their new entry into the drone market very soon.France Celebrates its Love of Drones
Drone enthusiasts converged on the Champs-Elysees for an event which featured races, demonstrations and opportunities to learn. An area of the famous strip was converted into a ‘drone aviary’ in what was the first event of its kind held in the City of Light. This space, to ensure safety, was surrounded by protective netting which stood 20ft high and 460ft long. It wasn’t all fun and games, there were educational elements with displays covering current regulations, the wide range of commercial uses being explored and also workshops to allow novices the chance to have a go at flying. There was also a demonstration from the postal service, who showcased their delivery drone system which can carry a payload of 6.5lbs across a distance of 20km. To cap off the exciting event, the city has revealed that it is creating two ‘drone friendly’ sites (in both Bois de Boulogne & Parc de la Villette) which will allow pilots to fly their drones on Sundays, from the 18th September 2016.European Aviation Authorities Call for Stricter Regulations
A number of aviation authorities from all over Europe have made their case for the compulsory registration and training of drone pilots in the wake of a growing number of so-called “near-misses” between UAVs and manned aircraft. The agencies involved in this joint statement include the ECA, IATA, EHA, ACI EUROPE, ERAA, IACA, A4E, IFALPA, IFATCA and CANSO. Their gripe is that there should be a “harmonised drone regulatory structure” which applies across the entirety Europe, including the points made above about regulation and mandatory training. The plan involves registering all drones as they are purchased or resold, courses for those wanting to pilot drones and a widespread implementation of geofencing technology to stop unmanned aircraft from going too far from the operator or into restricted airspace. The conclusion of the joint statement reads:"The signatories want to support the effort of the European regulator to produce a robust harmonised EU-wide regulatory safety framework for drones."
It's worth noting, however, that the British CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) have not spoken out in support of these calls for registration.…
Keep checking back to Heliguy’s Insider blog for more of the latest news from the drone industry.
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