Drones in Focus: Iceland's Adoption of Avata 2, Asheville's Hurricane Helene Aid Enhanced, and Other Drone Developments!
Weekly Drone Roundup
Let's dive into this week's exciting drone-related news!
Iceland & the Avata 2 - FPV Waterfall and Cliff Dive Compilation
Feast your eyes on a thrilling video compiled by the drone enthusiast, @gigeorgiev. This action-packed short clip showcases a series of FPV dives near cliffs and waterfalls in Iceland, all shot using the DJI Avata 2. The breathtaking scenery captured encapsulates why Iceland is high on every aerial filmmaker's bucket list. With its unique volcanic landscapes, glacial rivers, and rugged coastlines, Iceland offers an endless playground for capturing stunning drone footage.
💥 Hot Tip: Have you tried FPV (First-Person View) diving yet? It's like being in the cockpit of a fighter jet!
Drones in Disaster Response: Asheville and Hurricane Helene
In 2024, when Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, drones proved to be indispensable in disaster response. The Asheville Police Department deployed 13 DJI Docks to capture live, aerial views of flooded, inaccessible neighborhoods. These drones guided rescue teams and helped prevent looting by providing real-time information about the damage. In the midst of the crisis, drones mapped over 2,000 acres of damage, including critical waterways. This data was instrumental in identifying submerged vehicles and debris, significantly accelerating both emergency response and long-term recovery efforts. As Chief Mike Lamb noted, "The drones didn't just show us the damage-they showed us where to start rebuilding."
👀 Did You Know? Today, drones are increasingly being used in disaster response worldwide, revolutionizing the way we respond to natural catastrophes.
Farewell to the Phantom
In a bittersweet move, DJI has announced the end of an era with the sunsetting of the Phantom series. As of June 1, the Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Advanced, the last models still actively being supported and sold, will no longer receive support. First launched in 2012, the Phantom was a game-changer, setting new standards for aerial photography with its ready-to-fly design. Now, thanks to advancements in compact, foldable drone technology like the Mavic, Air, and Mini lines, the distinctive "pillow-and-legs" Phantom design is now a thing of the past.
🚀 Riding the Wave of Progress: Technology moves quickly, and the Phantom's legacy will certainly live on as we continue to push the boundaries of drone technology!
Aerial Exploration: Discovering a Hidden City Under Giza
Researchers claim to have used advanced aerial radar techniques, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), to discover a vast 'underground city' beneath the Pyramids of Giza. The technology allowed them to generate high-resolution 3D images of subsurface structures, revealing a network of shafts, chambers, and multi-level complexes stretching nearly 1.2 miles (2 km) under the plateau. This approach is a critical advancement for aerial LiDAR and satellite-based archaeology, enabling non-invasive exploration of sites previously unreachable without excavation. As with all major archaeological finds, there's been some debate around the validity of these claims, but there's no denying that this technology is revolutionizing how we explore ancient sites.
🔍 Digging Deeper: Discover more about the fascinating field of aerial archaeology, helping us unlock the secrets of the past from the sky!
AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025: Join the Oil & Gas Inspection Panel
Are you planning to attend AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025 this May? Don't miss the panel, "Smarter Inspections: Leveraging Robotics, AI, and Advanced Sensors for Oil & Gas Asset Maintenance"! We'll delve into the transformative impact aerial, marine, and ground robotics are having on inspections and asset maintenance in the Oil & Gas sector, including real-world use cases and practical tips for integrating drones and robotics into your operations. The panel will take place on Tuesday, May 19 from 3:30-4:20PM CDT in room 361-D on the Implementation & Value Track.
📅 Mark Your Calendar: Sign up to join us and explore the future of inspections in the Oil & Gas industry!
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- The thrilling FPV waterfall and cliff dive compilation by drone enthusiast, @gigeorgiev, features stunning drone footage captured using the DJI Avata 2 near Iceland's unique volcanic landscapes, glacial rivers, and rugged coastlines.
- During Hurricane Helene in 2024, the Asheville Police Department used DJI Docks to deploy 13 drones and provide real-time, aerial views of flooded, inaccessible neighborhoods, guiding rescue teams and aiding in the prevention of looting.
- After 10 years of setting new standards for aerial photography, DJI has announced the end of the Phantom series, with the Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Advanced no longer receiving support as of June 1, 2022.
- Researchers claim to have discovered a vast 'underground city' beneath the Pyramids of Giza using advanced aerial radar techniques, such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), generating high-resolution 3D images of subsurface structures and enabling non-invasive exploration of sites previously unreachable without excavation.
