Drone 2017 news and topics

Here are some notable news and topics related to drones in 2017:

Regulations and Laws

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued new rules for commercial drone use in the United States, requiring operators to register their drones and obtain a remote pilot certificate.
• The European Union introduced new regulations for drone use, including a requirement for drones to be registered and for operators to obtain a license.

Technology and Innovations

• DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, released several new products, including the Mavic Pro, a portable and foldable drone, and the Spark, a mini drone that can follow users.
• Intel introduced its Falcon 8+ drone, a high-end drone designed for commercial use, and its Shooting Star drone, a drone designed for entertainment and events.
• Yuneec, a Chinese drone manufacturer, released the Typhoon H, a hexacopter drone with a 360-degree gimbal and a range of up to 1.5 miles.

Applications and Industries

• Drones were used in various industries, including:
  • Agriculture: Drones were used for crop monitoring, spraying, and seeding.
  • Construction: Drones were used for site surveying, inspection, and monitoring.
  • Film and Photography: Drones were used for aerial cinematography and photography.
  • Emergency Response: Drones were used for search and rescue, disaster response, and firefighting.
  • Inspection: Drones were used for inspecting infrastructure, such as bridges, buildings, and pipelines.

Incidents and Accidents

• A drone crashed on the White House lawn, prompting concerns about drone safety and security.
• A drone was used to deliver a package to a customer in Rwanda, marking the first commercial drone delivery in Africa.
• A drone was used to inspect the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

Notable Events

• The first-ever drone racing league, the Drone Racing League (DRL), was launched in the United States.
• The International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC) was held in China, featuring drone racing and other aerial challenges.
• The Drone World Expo was held in Anaheim, California, featuring exhibits, workshops, and keynotes on drone technology and applications.

Other News

• The FAA launched a drone registration task force to improve the registration process and reduce the number of unregistered drones.
• The European Space Agency (ESA) launched a drone project to develop drones for use in space exploration.
• The United Nations launched a drone project to use drones for humanitarian purposes, such as disaster response and medical delivery.

These are just a few of the many news and topics related to drones in 2017. The year saw significant advancements in drone technology, regulations, and applications, and set the stage for further growth and innovation in the industry.