Last week DJI released incredible vision of its FlyCart 30 transporting equipment and rubbish between camps on Mt Everest. The test team flew three oxygen bottles and 1.5kg of other supplies from Everest Base Camp (5,300m) to Camp 1 (6,000m). On the return trip rubbish was carried back down.
Flown in April, the event marks the first time drones have successfully completed the round-trip transportation of equipment and rubbish between Everest Base Camp and Camp 1.
“From the end of April, our team embarked on a groundbreaking endeavour to help make cleanup efforts on Everest safer and more efficient,” said Christina Zhang, Senior Corporate Strategy Director at DJI.
“We are thrilled to share that our DJI FlyCart 30 was up to the task. The ability to safely transport equipment, supplies, and waste by drone has the potential to revolutionise Everest mountaineering logistics, facilitate trash cleanup efforts, and improve safety for all involved.”
Drone use makes sense in dangerous locations like these but not all drones can perform at extreme altitudes with unpredictable weather. The camps are separated by the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous parts of the ascent. The FlyCart can carry a maximum payload of 40kg in emergency single-battery configuration. On Mt Everest the load appeared to be capped at 15kg.
This achievement just goes to show what DJI drones can do and there are millions in use around the world because – they are the best.
So that brings us to the US Government. The United States is considering the Countering CCP Drones Act or H.R. 2864 which, if passed, would prevent new DJI products from entering the American market. And … potentially lead to the FCC revoking clearance for existing drones.
Lawmakers are set to consider the bill on June 12.
A ban on DJI products would be devastating for a range of businesses in the US due to the dominance of DJI globally. Security concerns have been raised by US officials about the use of data gathered by DJI devices. This has been fiercely rejected by DJI, a China based tech company.
It remains to be seen if this impacts Australia but a US ban won’t be good.