모두
← Back to Squawk list
DJI no longer lets you fly its drones in Washington, DC
DJI really, really doesn't want to see its drones in the news for the wrong reasons. Just a day after the world learned that one of its robotic vehicles crash-landed at the White House, the company is pushing out a "mandatory" firmware update for its Phantom 2 drones that prevents you from flying anywhere within a 15.5-mile radius of downtown Washington, DC. (www.engadget.com) 기타...
Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
What about all the drones inside the White House? (Sorry. Couldn't resist)
That's Congress. (and not sorry)
Also, if I lived in DC and owned one of these and now I can't fly it where I live I would expect that DJI would be buying back from me.
What about all the other "drones" brands out there. Unlikely that they will be prevented from flying due to a Phantom update. There are most likely "drones" that can't even accept updates.
If you turn off the GPS mode, the Phantom won't know it is within 15 miles of DC.
Yes, I'm sure those who own a Predator 2 drone in the DC area are going to willingly let DJI force an update that turns their $1,200 toy into a worthless paperweight, especially those not in the least concerned by the fact that operating the things is already illegal in the DC area. Meanwhile, I'm betting some kid is coming up with a hack that will get around any such restrictions, if they haven't already.
On the plus side, those Predator 2 devices purchased prior to the upgrade are now worth several times more on eBay or Amazon, simply because they do not yet have such blocks.
Of course, authorities could actually do something, like use a wifi signal finder to find out who within 500 meters of the White House is operating the device, and then arrest them, rather than bricking the devices of those who live in the area but play with their expensive toys elsewhere.
But then that would be too cost effective and make too much sense, so that'll never happen.
On the plus side, those Predator 2 devices purchased prior to the upgrade are now worth several times more on eBay or Amazon, simply because they do not yet have such blocks.
Of course, authorities could actually do something, like use a wifi signal finder to find out who within 500 meters of the White House is operating the device, and then arrest them, rather than bricking the devices of those who live in the area but play with their expensive toys elsewhere.
But then that would be too cost effective and make too much sense, so that'll never happen.
