Drone News Roundup: Pocket Camera that Converts into Drone, DOT Says BVLOS Rule Delay on Purpose, and More!

This week we’re covering HoverAir’s new Versa, the first pocket camera designed to convert into a drone.

We’re also covering the DOT saying that it delayed the BVLOS rule on purpose, NYPD drones spotting sharks off New York beaches, a big new autonomous cargo eVTOL from drone taxi company Archer, and how rural Colorado is using drones for conservation.

Now on to the links!

Meet Versa, The First Pocket Camera That Converts into a Drone

HoverAir recently unveiled the Versa, a pocket-sized 8K camera—similar to DJI’s Osmo Pocket line—that can be used either on a drone or as a handheld camera. The modular design lets you switch between ground and aerial capture in seconds, with the camera capable of recording continuously before, during, and after flight. Combining a pocket camera with HoverAir’s autonomous flight technology, the Versa is designed for creators who want to capture both handheld and aerial footage with the same device—switching from a camera they hold to a drone that can fly autonomously.

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DOT Says BVLOS Rule Delay Is Intentional

Earlier this year, it looked like a long-awaited rule to allow routine BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) drone operations was almost done. The FAA had already released a draft rule for public comment, and we were expecting a final version after the review process. But the release has continued to be pushed back.

Now we know this delay is on purpose. Pete Meachum, chief of staff at DOT, recently said the agency has been taking extra time with the rule because officials wanted to avoid locking the drone industry into technical requirements that could quickly become obsolete. Meachum said there was pressure to release the rule, but DOT wanted to make sure it created a flexible foundation for the future rather than rules that could restrict innovation. Meachum made these comments in Washington, D.C., at an event hosted by the Commercial Drone Alliance.

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NYPD Drones Have Spotted Seven Sharks This Summer

This summer, the NYPD is using drones to monitor New York City beaches for sharks and assist with water rescues. So far this summer, NYPD drones have helped spot seven sharks off Rockaway Beach alone. After shark sightings were confirmed, officials temporarily closed parts of the beach and cleared swimmers from the water as a precaution. Last week, we reported on another example of drones supporting water rescues, with the the Sheriff’s office in Surf City, NJ using a drone to deliver a self-inflating device called a Restube to a swimmer in distress, saving their life.

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This New Cargo eVTOL Can Carry Over 1,000 Pounds

 

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Archer Aviation just launched Halo, a hybrid-electric cargo drone that can carry over 1,000 pounds and has a range of over 100 miles. Archer is known for making taxi drones, and the Halo is its first foray into cargo drones. Developed in partnership with defense company Anduril, Halo is designed for both commercial logistics and defense missions. Halo is the latest sign of growing interest in autonomous cargo drones. Earlier this year DJI launched its EV50, while U.S.-based Skyways continues to grow its footprint in long-range drone deliveries for remote industrial sites.

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Colorado Conservation Group Uses Drones to Protect Wildlife and Public Lands

Credit: CCALT

Nonprofit Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is using drones to help monitor conservation easements across rural Colorado. Instead of relying solely on time-consuming ground inspections, staff can now use aerial imagery to document land conditions, identify changes over time, and better manage the 830,000+ acres under conservation. The organization says drones have made it possible to cover large, remote properties more efficiently while reducing travel time and improving the quality of the data collected.

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