Jim Fisher writes that the FCC is moving to retroactively revoke authorization for drones classified as "military-grade," a term currently defined broadly enough to include any aircraft equipped with LiDAR sensors. If the policy stands, several popular DJI consumer models—including those used by photographers and videographers—could be banned from US retail despite having received prior clearance before being added to an FCC restricted list.
- The public comment period for this proposal closes on September 2.
- Thermal cameras and agricultural spraying drones are also included in the "military" definition.
- Foreign aircraft over 55 pounds or those using docking stations are similarly targeted.
MentorPi is a robot car platform powered by the Raspberry Pi 5 and compatible with ROS2, offering options for Mecanum or Ackermann chassis. It includes features like obstacle avoidance, line tracking, and SLAM capabilities, making it suitable for robotics education and development.