A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Ukrainian forces successfully evacuated a wounded soldier using a heavy-lift drone, marking a significant milestone in unmanned medical evacuation. This operation, announced by Ukraine’s 92nd Separate Assault Brigade on October 19, is noted as the first documented instance of such a rescue from the...
Avidrone Aerospace, a Canadian drone manufacturer, recently won a contest organized by a U.S. Department of Defense agency, achieving a remarkable payload-to-weight ratio of 3.84:1 at the DARPA Lift Challenge in Dayton, Ohio. This competition required drones to weigh 55 pounds or less while lifting...
Elroy Air has secured a $46 million multi-year contract from the US Army to enhance its autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drone, the Chaparral. This contract aims to improve the drone's capabilities in challenging military environments, focusing on modular cargo delivery and operational efficien...
The DARPA Lift Challenge is currently underway, featuring a variety of unique heavy-lift drone designs. This event showcases the latest advancements in drone technology, with several overview videos highlighting the innovative approaches taken by participants. The significance of the DARPA Lift Cha...
In a recent episode of the Drone Radio Show, Michael Abdelmaseh, Head Engineer at PyroDelta Energy, discussed the company's innovative Capillary Casting process. This patented technology aims to harness waste heat, a largely untapped energy source in aviation, to produce solid-state thermoelectric g...
Powerus, a Florida-based manufacturer of heavy-lift drones, has launched a new agriculture division under its subsidiary Kaizen Aerospace. This initiative aims to market its products both in the United States and internationally, addressing the growing demand for agricultural drones. Powerus has par...
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched a challenge aimed at developing heavy-lift drones capable of carrying payloads exceeding four times their weight. This initiative addresses the current limitations of multirotor UAVs, which typically have low payload-to-weight ratios...
Robinson Unmanned has made significant strides in the U.S. unmanned defense and logistics sector, showcasing its R44 AIRTRUCK in recent demonstrations. The cargo helicopter successfully completed two days of flights at Acadiana Regional Airport in Louisiana, performing various operations such as car...
In Guangxi, China, heavy-lift drones have been deployed to rescue flood victims by airlifting individuals, defying standard safety protocols. This operation highlights the capabilities of the trillion-yuan low-altitude economy, which is becoming increasingly significant in emergency response scenari...
The AUSA 2026 exhibition showcased a notable decline in heavy armour presence, emphasizing a shift towards 4x4 mobility solutions and FPV drone strike munitions. This transition reflects evolving military strategies that prioritize agility and precision in combat scenarios. The reduced focus on hea...
Harris Aerial, founded by Ben Harris in 2014, specializes in manufacturing heavy-lift drones, distinguishing itself in a market dominated by smaller UAVs. The company began in a college apartment and has since evolved into a leading producer of American-made drones, focusing on the heavy-lift sector...
Ørsted has successfully completed a trial of a large cargo delivery drone at its Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm in the North Sea. The trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using drones to replace traditional sea vessel trips for maintenance operations, demonstrating the capability to deliver payl...
Ørsted has successfully conducted a four-week cargo drone trial at its Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm in the North Sea, in collaboration with Skyports Drone Services. The trial involved transporting maintenance kits weighing up to 65 kilograms (143 pounds) between a service vessel and turbine tops, ma...
Aerospace engineering students from Texas A&M University have successfully built a 50-pound drone that can carry a payload of 110 pounds over a distance of four nautical miles. This achievement was showcased at the DARPA Lift Challenge, where the team was one of only six out of 87 groups to complete...
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NEC announced their partnership to develop domestic defense drones and AI-driven command and control systems. This collaboration aims to enhance Japan's defense capabilities amid increasing global reliance on drone technology in combat scenarios. The significance of...
KAIST has unveiled its latest humanoid robot, Humanoid v0.9, which can push objects weighing up to 35 kg and lift items up to 20 kg. This was showcased in a demonstration video released on October 19, highlighting the robot's ability to manipulate objects while arranging the letters 'KAIST'. The si...
Dismounted soldiers face significant threats in modern battlespaces dominated by drones, sensors, and advanced targeting systems. In a recent discussion at AUSA, Luke Savoie, President and CEO of Twenty Six Defense, highlighted the critical requirements for soldiers to maintain their lethality, conn...
A British uncrewed submarine successfully launched a U.S. Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo during a joint test on September 13 at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Center in Scotland. This trial, part of the AUKUS partnership, aims to advance armed underwater drone technology for both nations. Th...
A recent survey by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) highlights the construction industry's reliance on Chinese-made drones, with 97.1% of drone-using member companies favoring DJI products. The survey indicates that 36% of respondents utilize drones for various operations, showcasing a...
Skyways Aviation, an Austin-based company, is expanding its offshore cargo operations in response to evolving U.S. regulations regarding Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The company has focused on building a global heavy-lift drone business, distinguishing itself from competitor...
Applied Aeronautics has unveiled its latest heavy lift quadrotor platform, named SkyBeam, aimed at enhancing capabilities in defense, public safety, and commercial sectors. The Chicago-based company emphasizes the drone's modular design, which allows for increased payload flexibility and rapid deplo...
A new platform has been developed for 100kg-class agricultural and logistics unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), showcasing advanced technological features aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. This innovative system integrates high-discharge performance capabilities, enabling rapid energy release...
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) have unveiled an updated version of their humanoid robot, Humanoid v0.9, showcasing its ability to push objects weighing up to 77.2 pounds and lift loads of 44.1 pounds. This demonstration, released on October 19, emphasizes...
Timmer has introduced two vacuum hose lifters, QuickLift and HeavyLift, at the BrauBeviale trade fair, designed for various handling tasks in the beverage industry. These innovative products aim to enhance ergonomic handling of crates and barrels, addressing the industry's need for efficient and sa...
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is collaborating with Airbus to develop anti-submarine drones, aimed at enhancing Japan's maritime defense capabilities. This partnership, announced on June 26, 2026, will focus on equipping the existing Eurodrone with advanced maritime surveillance technology provided by K...
Researchers have developed an innovative vine robot capable of safely and stably lifting various heavy and fragile objects, including watermelons. This advancement, highlighted by Jennifer Chu, showcases the robot's ability to mimic the gripping mechanism of natural vines, which can wrap around obst...
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