Drone News Roundup: Epic FPV Matterhorn Dive, Major Drone Releases from CES 2024, and More!

This week we’re covering an incredible FPV dive shot at the Matterhorn by world-renowned drone pilot Ellis van Jason.

We’re also covering the major launches to come out of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year, a fast, fun cinewhoop shot on a yacht in the Maldives, EXO’s new Blackhawk Pro 3, and DARPA’s testing of drones as flying power relay stations.

Now on to the links!

Epic FPV Dive Down the Matterhorn

Over the last few years, Ellis van Jason has made a big name for himself in the realm of cinematic flying, especially with FPV drones. This video he shot at Switzerland’s Matterhorn takes us on a journey up the famous mountain, showing us just how long and dangerous of a climb it truly is. Then, when we get to the top, Jason turns around and flies straight back down in one of the most exhilarating FPV dives we’ve ever seen. In total, the drone climbs 1 vertical and 2.2 horizontal miles in under five minutes—take a look for the ride of your life.

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Major Drone Launches from CES 2024

The DJI FlyCart 30 | Credit: DJI

The annual Consumer Electronics Show took place in Las Vegas last week. As always, new drone hardware, software, and accessories were on display, showcasing all the hottest new technology from the industry. Among the drone releases and news at the show were:

• A keynote from leadership at Walmart highlighting the future of drone delivery, supported by its expanding partnerships with Wing and Zipline.
• PABLO AIR’s drone traffic management system UrbanLinkX, which won a 2024 CEST Innovation Award in the Smart City category.
• DJI’s first delivery drone, the FlyCart 30, which just got approval to be sold in the U.S.
• Nearthlab’s new AI Drone, which is named for its fusion of artificial intelligence with professional-grade drone technology. The new drone is designed to “assist in a diverse spectrum of tasks spanning infrastructure inspections, renewables, defense, and public safety.”

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High Speed Cinewhoop Tour of Yacht in the Maldives

In this impressive cinewhoop from Jay Christensen we get a high-speed tour of a luxury sailing yacht called the Soneva Aqua. Shot in the Maldives, the video starts over the open water, circling around the massive vessel before flying through a hatch, into the primary cabin, and popping back out on deck. The flying is smooth and masterful, with carefully choreographed snatches of dialogue interspersed to make the shot seem spontaneous—a trademark of Christensen’s work. The video was shot in a single take using a Rotor Riot SkyLite with Hero11 Black.

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EXO Drones Releases the Blackhawk Pro 3

Credit: EXO

Are there any U.S. consumer drone companies left? Last year, Skydio exited the consumer market and Teal Drones pivoted to focusing exclusively on defense applications. But EXO may be poised to fill the gap. Though it was founded in China, the company was recently acquired by U.S.-based OpenStore. Its latest offering is the Blackhawk Pro 3, a prosumer-grade drone that has the price tag of a consumer model but the bells and whistles you’d expect on a more expensive platform. The Blackhawk Pro 3 costs $949 on Amazon and comes with an impressive 53-minute flight time, 9+ mile transmission range, and a camera that has a 1/1.3″ sensor. Is this the affordable, mid-range, U.S.-made drone we’ve all been waiting for?

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DARPA to Develop Technology for Turning Drones into Energy Relay Stations

Credit: DARPA

DARPA has issued a $10 million contract to develop technology for using drones in flight to recharge other drones and vehicles. The idea relies on the drones receiving power from ground-based lasers, then transmitting that power where it’s needed. The idea of powering drones with lasers in order to bypass battery life and tether limitations isn’t new—but this project may be the farthest it will ever be pushed. To create the “airborne optical energy relays” required for this to work, DARPA has hired Raytheon, Draper, and BEAM Co. If they succeed, the technology they develop could become a model for how we power the drones of the future.

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