Drone News Roundup: Updates from Commercial UAV Expo 2025, First Ski Descent of Epic Trango Towers Captured by Drone, and More!

This week we’re reporting live from Commercial UAV Expo, sharing major product releases and news from the conference.

We’re also covering an incredible drone project to shoot the first ski descent ever of the treacherous Trango Towers, the Antigravity A1’s payload detection system, Orkid’s integrated Starlink connection for long range drone missions, and Wingtra drones helping with conservation work in wetlands.

Now on to the links!

Major News & Releases from Commercial UAV Expo

This week, the UAV Coach team is reporting live from Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas!

The hottest topic right now is, no surprise, the FAA’s draft BVLOS rule (get your comments in!—the rule closes for public comment on October 6). There have also been a lot of incredible presentations, not to mention big releases and breaking news. Here are the top stories from the conference this week:

• AIBOT Unveils New Tilt-Wing eVTOL with Eight Rotors
• A2Z Drone Delivery Introduces Its Latest AirDock
• How Early Drone Adoption Drives Higher ROI
• AI and Autonomy: What’s Next for the Drone Industry

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Trango Tower’s First-Ever Ski Descent Captured by Inspire 3 Drone

The first-ever ski descent of Pakistan’s Great Trango Tower has been captured in truly jaw-dropping fashion thanks to DJI’s Inspire 3 drone. In this short film, professional ski mountaineers Jim Morrison, Christina Lustenburger, and Chantel Astorga take on a 3.7 mile (6,000-meter) granite spire where helicopters can’t go—highlighting both human grit and the power of next-gen aerial cinematography. Full-frame 8K visuals, rock-solid stabilization, and precise high-altitude flying allowed filmmakers to document the expedition’s wildest moments, offering a look at ski mountaineering history as it happened.

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What Is Antigravity A1’s Payload Detection System?

The Antigravity A1 is the first drone ever made with a native, integrated 360 camera. But that’s not the only thing that makes it unique. The A1 also has a payload detection system designed to instantly land the drone if it senses any unauthorized payloads. This feature isn’t just about protecting the drone—it’s Antigravity’s proactive response to growing concerns over consumer drones being misused to carry dangerous payloads. In the war in Ukraine, DJI drones have been retrofitted to carry bombs and grenades despite the company stating that it doesn’t endorse or condone people turning its technology into weapons. With its payload detection system, Antigravity cuts out the middle man, making it impossible for these kinds of activities with its drones. (The video above is set to start at the payload detection feature, with the tagline “Born to fly not to carry.”)

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New Orkid Drone Is Integrated With Starlink for Long-Range Missions

Credit: Orkid

U.S.-owned Orkid’s new 260VTOL drone integrates Starlink satellite connectivity, enabling real-time telemetry and video streaming for long-range missions without relying on cellular networks. The Starlink integration unlocks extended BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations, making it a solid professional platform for delivery, security, surveillance, and precision surveying in remote or infrastructure-poor areas. In addition to its secure global connectivity, the 260VTOL has modular payloads, 100% electric propulsion, and cloud-based mission planning—advanced features that promise to win it a space in the  high-end commercial drone sector.

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Wingtra Drones Map Invasive Plants to Protect Wetlands

Researchers are using Wingtra’s VTOL drones to map wetlands, an area notoriously difficult to survey on foot or by boat. With high-resolution RGB and LIDAR sensors, the WingtraOne has captured data for detailed 3D maps of invasive aquatic plants across multiple sites in Vermont and New York. These consistent, repeat surveys help researchers train AI models for efficient future monitoring and conservation efforts, protecting wetlands as vital buffers against storm damage and ecological imbalance.

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