Drone News Roundup: ZenaTech Launches the IQ Quad Professional Drone, Snowy FPV Flight, and More!

This week we’re covering the launch of ZenaTech’s new IQ Quad Drone for surveying and mapping applications.

We’re also covering a snowy FPV flight, a chainsaw-equipped drone for remote tree pruning, Zipline expanding drone delivery to Houston and Phoenix, and MFE’s new offshore division focused on subsea and maritime operations.

Now let’s get to those links!

ZenaTech Launches the IQ Quad for Surveying and Mapping

Canadian drone maker ZenaTech has launched the IQ Quad, a surveying drone designed for commercial applications like infrastructure mapping, topographic surveys, and monitoring construction progress. The IQ Quad is built around a modular payload system, supports RTK positioning for centimeter-level accuracy, and has a solid flight time of 40 minutes. ZenaTech is aiming this drone at high-end commercial users: engineering firms, surveyors, construction teams, and infrastructure operators that need repeatable, high-accuracy aerial data.

Here are the key specs:

• Flight time. 40 minutes max, depending on payload and operating conditions.
• Transmission range. 3 miles (5 km).
• Payload system. Modular payload design to accommodate different survey and inspection sensors.
• Positioning accuracy. RTK-enabled for centimeter-level accuracy when used with a compatible base station or network.

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Snowy FPV Flight

This FPV video from @KerniFPV captures a fast, controlled flight through a snow-covered landscape. The footage is fun to watch, showing off a combination of tight proximity flying and smooth, cinematic lines. Beyond the visuals, it’s a good example of how experienced FPV pilots adapt to winter conditions—managing reduced visibility, cold-weather battery performance, and higher contrast lighting without sacrificing control or flow. Wherever you are on these cold winter days, hope you’re staying warm and finding some time to fly!

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New Zealand Team Builds AI-Powered Chainsaw Drone

Researchers at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand have developed an “AI chainsaw drone” that can trim branches remotely. The system uses a DJI Matrice carrying a battery-powered chainsaw directed by onboard AI, helping it identify branches that need trimming in hard-to-reach or hazardous locations. The prototype is designed to tackle vegetation management tasks like trimming tree limbs near power lines or other infrastructure without putting ground crews at risk. If the idea can scale it could make a range of jobs safer, including the work of arborists, utility workers, and construction crews.

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Zipline Expands Drone Delivery Competition with Houston Launch

Credit: Zipline

Zipline is launching drone delivery services in Houston and Phoenix, adding two more major U.S. cities to its growing network. Houston was recently the site of a major expansion for Walmart in partnership with Wing, signaling a new phase in drone delivery: moving from testing to competition. As these programs scale, Houston will serve as a real-world case study for how drone delivery systems integrate into dense urban environments, manage airspace coordination, and gain regulatory acceptance. The launches in Houston and Phoenix are just a part of a new growth phase for the company, which recently raised $600 million in funding and is now valued at a whopping $7.6 billion.

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MFE Launches New Offshore Division for Subsea and Maritime Operations

Credit: MFE Inspection Solutions

MFE has launched a new division, MFE Offshore, focused on subsea and offshore inspections. Offshore work is notoriously demanding. Personnel must work under the harsh conditions of the sea, with challenges like saltwater exposure, constant movement, and work in confined spaces. While many inspection tools are designed for labs or controlled settings, subsea work calls for purpose-built tools like underwater drones, specialized commercial drones like the Elios 3, and subsea positioning systems to do their daily work. By dedicating a team specifically to offshore operations, MFE aims to help operators plan and execute inspections more safely and efficiently in some of the most challenging conditions in the field.

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