Wing shows off AutoLoaders for its drone delivery network

Food vendors won't have to wait around for Wing's delivery drones to come pick up an order. The company has released video of new "AutoLoader" stations that'll hang onto boxes waiting for a skyhook-style pickup from the next available drone.

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SUCOM tech makes for better cellular comms with delivery drones

While short-range radio remote control may be fine for consumer drones, long-distance delivery drones often use cellular networks to communicate with their operators. A new mobile network system could make the latter method much more reliable.

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MightyFly’s new autonomous cargo drone carries 100 lb for 600 miles

Carrying up to 96 small USPS packages in its internal cargo bay, the new Cento needs nothing more than two parking spaces for takeoff, landing and automatic unloading. MightyFly is working with the FAA to expand its long-range flight authorization.

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Laser-charged Chinese drone can stay in the air indefinitely

Researchers at Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xianyang, China, have demonstrated a drone that never needs to land, thanks to a remote charging system that delivers power via an adaptive, target-tracking laser on the ground.

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Top 10 drone innovations that caught our attention in 2022

The past year has been a big one for drones, both in terms of new models and new capabilities. Here's a list of our picks for the latter, including clever uses of drones and interesting developments in the technology.

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Autonomous P-Flap ornithopter uses a claw to perch like a bird

Flapping-wing drones may be more agile and energy-efficient than their fixed-wing counterparts, but most of them still can't loiter in one spot. A new model addresses that limitation by using a claw mechanism to perch in a bird-like fashion.

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DJI adds cheaper 4K camera drone to sub-250-g Mini family

We've known of the impending arrival of the Mini 3 ever since the launch of the Mini 3 Pro in May, but it still looks like it's been worth the wait. Though missing a few premium Pro features, the 4K camera drone flies with a much cheaper price tag.

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Amazon says its new delivery drone will fly through light rain

Amazon has lofty and long-held ambitions when it comes to aerial deliveries and has today offered a glimpse of its latest Prime Air delivery drone, which it says will be lighter, quieter and capable of operating in the rain.

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Potentially life-saving drone features edible rice-cake wings

Imagine if someone such as a stranded mountain climber needed food, but could initially only be reached by drone. Scientists have developed a proof-of-concept system of getting that food to them, in the form of a drone with edible wings.

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RDS2 tech lets drones carry – and drop-deliver – all sorts of parcels

In most delivery-by-drone systems, cargo has to be packed into system-specific containers, or must fit inside a designated onboard compartment. The new RDS2 setup, however, can transport almost any shape or size of parcel, weighing as much as 10 kg (22 lb).

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