"Drones can do things more safely and easier than a lot of what we do today, Drones are already revolutionizing our lives. We're excited to bring this technology to our business and improve the customer experience as a result."
Allstate Vice President
Shawn Broadfield

"Funding for venture-backed drone companies in the U.S., China, Europe and Israel hit a record in 2015, Lora Kolodny reports for Dow Jones VentureWire. The startups raised $855.3 million in funding through Dec. 22, according to industry tracker Dow Jones VentureSource. Venture-backed drone companies received $94.4 million in funding in all of 2014."
Droneblog

Technology

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Dubai is now home to a trash-eating `shark` drone
A shark prowling the coastline is normally a worrying sight, but this waterborne drone terrorizes floating trash instead of people.
Esan Swan
CNN
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Drone created by UT-Austin student aids campus water conservation
If students see a drone flying through the sky around the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, it means UT is looking for ways to improve water conservation on campus.
Gracie Awalt
The Daily Texan
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China’s AVIC trials Venus solar-electric UAV
The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has successfully conducted the maiden flight of a 20 m wingspan technology...
Kelvin Wong
Jane`s 360
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These tiny drones can lift 40 times their own weight
Researchers were able to open a door using the FlyCroTugs drones.
AJ Dellinger
Engadget
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DJI Improves Drone Geofencing
Facing tighter FAA regulation on recreational drone use, the world’s leading manufacturer of the vehicles, China’s DJI...
Mark Huber
AIN Online
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Parrot Announces New Mapping and 4K Video Drone Solutions
Parrot has announced the release of two new drone platforms, the senseFly eBee X and the Parrot ANAFI Work.
Mike Rees
Unmanned Systems Technology
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Novel flying robot mimics rapid insect flight
A novel insect-inspired flying robot...
Delft University of Technology
Science Daily
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Drone Army Is Ready to Swoop in for Florence Power Recovery
With the remnants of Hurricane Florence continuing to deluge the southeastern U.S....
Naureen S. Malik
Bloomberg
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Underwater drones track Hurricane Florence’s trajectory
WHEN HURRICANE FLORENCE makes landfall on the North Carolina coastline this week...
Eric Niler
Wired
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Flying Dragon Robot Transforms Itself to Squeeze Through Gaps
DRAGON can change its shape to move through complex environments and even manipulate objects
Evan Ackerman
IEEE Spectrum
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Chip Upgrade Helps Miniature Drones Navigate
Low-power design will allow devices as small as a honeybee to determine their location while flying.
Jennifer Chu
MIT News
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Uber`s New Aerial Taxi Concept Looks Like the Spruce Goose of Flying Cars
Uber unveiled a new design for its futuristic “aerial taxi” at the second annual Uber Elevate conference today.
Matt Novak
Gizmodo
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Researchers develop virtual-reality testing ground for drones
Training drones to fly fast, around even the simplest obstacles, is a crash-prone exercise that can have engineers repairing or replacing vehicles with frustrating regularity.
Jennifer Chu
MIT News
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These self-flying drones keep a constant eye on your business
When Ran Krauss co-founded Airobotics in 2014, he wanted to help miners, farmers and port managers get better data about their businesses.
Samuel Burke and Andrew Greiner
CNN
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Company plans drone to carry 400 pound payloads
A Canadian company says it has started development of a drone that will be able to deliver packages that weigh up to 400 pounds.
Fox 5 NY
Fox 5 NY