Over the previous 12 months, the U.S. Authorities has made it more and more tough for DJI to promote its drones within the nation. Nevertheless, some reviews on-line counsel that the corporate could also be exploring new methods to carry merchandise to the U.S. market.
Why can’t DJI promote within the U.S.?
Again in April 2023, Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik launched the Countering CCP Drones Act to the Home of Representatives. This laws was supposed to ban DJI from promoting any merchandise within the U.S. Though the invoice didn’t come into legislation as deliberate, the FY25 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act (NDAA) required a danger evaluation on DJI’s drones. If this doesn’t occur by the top of this 12 months, then the merchandise will likely be banned. As well as, in October 2024, DJI claimed that imports of its drones to the US had been already being stopped by customs.
What’s the SkyRover X1?
The Verve web site just lately reported on a brand new drone on the market on Amazon. Other than being shiny yellow, the SkyRover X1 bears a placing resemblance to the DJI Mini Professional 4. The Air Pictures YouTube channel additionally posted a evaluation of the SkyRover X1. Most of the feedback on that video recognized the drone as a rebadged DJI Mini Professional 4. Nevertheless, the video notably didn’t examine the SkyRover X1 to different drones. Shawn from Air Pictures later posted a follow-up article to the video on the Drone XL web site. Within the article, he said that when he was despatched the SkyRover X1 for evaluation, he was instructed “to not make reference to different drones”.
DJI ecosystem
Drone XL additionally shared reviews from a safety researcher referred to as Kevin Finisterre. Finisterre discovered that the SkyRover app is intrinsically linked to DJI’s cloud ecosystem. On X, Finisterre posted, “Busted already @konrad_it @Bin4ryDigit, it has connections to @DJIGlobal @DJISupport @DJIEnterprise by way of @DJIFlySafe references, and ‘AASKY’ references. That took like 20 minutes? lol Pathetic.” Finisterre additionally reported that the letters DJI within the code had merely been changed with “xxx” or “uav.”
So, is it a DJI Mini 4 Professional?
The SkyRover X1 has a whole lot of the identical options because the DJI Mini 4 Professional. Each weigh beneath 250 grams (0.55 kilos). Additionally they each have a 1/1.3-inch sensor digital camera and might shoot video in 4K as much as 60 frames per second. The X1 and Mini 4 Professional supply the identical ranges of impediment avoidance and the identical transmission vary as effectively. Nevertheless, DJI’s batteries for the Mini 4 Professional aren’t appropriate with the SkyRover X1.
Additionally, you’ll be able to’t use a DJI distant management with the SkyRover drone. Lastly, there are some minor beauty variations between the physique designs of the 2 drones.
What we expect
On the time of writing, DJI hasn’t confirmed or denied that the SkyRover X1 is predicated on its Mini 4 Professional drone. Nevertheless, there may be rising proof that that is the case. If there are hyperlinks to DJI, then it could be solely a matter of time earlier than the authorities within the U.S. take motion to stop the gross sales of the SkyRover X1. Within the meantime, some shoppers are excited by the prospect of getting their palms on a drone that won’t in any other case be out there. Nevertheless, it’s essential to keep in mind that your current DJI batteries and controllers received’t work with the SkyRover X1.
Pricing and availability
The SkyRover X1 drone is at the moment out there on the Amazon.com web site for $758. You too can choose up a Fly Extra Combo (sound acquainted?) for $898.
