Drone News Roundup: Mavic 4 Pro Tour of the Azores, Top News from AUVSI XPONENTIAL, and More!
BY Zacc Dukowitz
22 May 2025This week we’re covering a tour of the Azores islands shot entirely on the Mavic 4 Pro by Denis Barbas.
We’re also covering the top news out of AUVSI XPONENTIAL this week, a video showcasing how drones are protecting endangered wildlife in Thailand, PG&E using BVLOS drones to fight wildfires, and MFE partnering with Skydio to secure a broad BVLOS waiver for remote drone operations.
Now on to the links!
Mavic 4 Pro Tour of the Azores
Want to see cinematic footage shot on DJI’s Mavic 4 Pro? Here you go! In this new video shot by Denis Barbas, we see the diverse landscapes of the Azores islands captured in 6K entirely on the Mavic 4 Pro. The Azores are a volcanic archipelago made up of nine islands, which is located about 850 miles off the coast of Portugal. The footage showcases the rugged cliffs, crater lakes, and lush greenery typical of islands in the chain like São Miguel and Pico, home to Mount Pico—the highest peak in Portugal at 1.5 miles. In addition to shooting in 6K, the Mavic 4 Pro has an Infinity Gimbal, letting you get full 360° rotation—watch the video to see what’s possible with DJI’s newest drone.
LEARN MORE
Top Drone News from AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025
AUVSI’s annual XPONENTIAL conference has been happening this week in Houston. Here is some of the major drone-related news to come out of the event:
- Meteomatics Meteodrone for High-Resolution Weather Data. Meteomatics was showcasing its Meteodrone at the conference, an autonomous weather drone capable of flying up to 20,000 feet to collect high-resolution atmospheric data. Used by brands like Toyota and CVS Health, the Meteodrone provides weather forecasts up to nine times more granular than government sources, offering valuable insights for aviation, agriculture, energy, and logistics sectors.
- AirData’s Real-Time BVLOS Compliance Platform. AirData was displaying its new real-time compliance and fleet management platform tailored for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations at the conference. This software automates reporting, maintenance tracking, and regulatory compliance for large-scale drone fleets.
- Trusted UGV Cybersecurity Certification. This week, AUVSI launched its “Trusted UGV” Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Certification in partnership with Neya Systems and ARA, setting a new security standard for uncrewed ground vehicles across multiple sectors. Neya Systems is showcasing a cyber-hardened Polaris MRZR 4 as an example of the certification’s impact.
- Trusted UMS Operator Program. AUVSI also unveiled its new Trusted UMS Operator Program, which aims to standardize training and credentialing for maritime drone operators, enhancing workforce readiness and safety.
LEARN MORE
Drones Help Protect Endangered Marine Wildlife in Thailand
In Thailand, drones are playing a vital role in protecting endangered dugongs. (A dugong is a large marine mammal related to manatees—watch the first few seconds of the video to see what they look like.) Using the DJI Dock 3, researchers have been remotely monitoring dugong populations, tracking their movements and mapping critical seagrass habitats with minimal disturbance. This automated drone tracking allows for more frequent patrols, delivering precise data and reducing the cost of monitoring by up to 20 times. As a result, dugong mortality has dropped to zero in protected areas—an incredible accomplishment—demonstrating the powerful impact of drone technology on marine conservation.
LEARN MORE
PG&E Uses BVLOS Drones to Fight Fires
Credit: Zipline
PG&E is using BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drones to enhance wildfire prevention and response across California. By integrating AirData’s automated compliance platform, PG&E can efficiently track flight activity, maintenance, and personnel records—key requirements for BVLOS waivers. This automation streamlines reporting and ensures safe, scalable drone operations over vast, high-risk areas. The result: faster inspections, improved safety for crews, and a more robust approach to monitoring and protecting critical infrastructure during fire season. Follow the link below for the full case study.
LEARN MORE
MFE Partners with Skydio to Secure Broad BVLOS Waiver
Credit: Skydio
MFE Inspection Solutions has secured a broad BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) waiver from the FAA in partnership with Skydio, enabling remote drone inspections nationwide using the Skydio X10 and Dock for X10. This waiver allows MFE to conduct fully remote drone demonstrations—pilots can fly the X10 with its Dock remotely from Houston or elsewhere while clients set up equipment on-site anywhere in the U.S. The partnership showcases how autonomous drones and remote command centers can deliver efficient, real-world inspection solutions for industrial clients.
LEARN MORE
Make sure to sign up for our free weekly newsletter using the button below so you can get our weekly newsletter every Saturday, with this roundup and our other featured stories from the week.
