HoverAir's modular drone halted in US after FCC concerns
HoverAir Versa, a transforming modular drone, has stopped taking US orders and halted shipments to the United States shortly after its Indiegogo debut.
The HoverAir Versa, a modular drone capable of transforming from a gimbal into a drone with snap-on propeller wings, has ceased taking orders in the US and halted shipments to the country. The decision comes just three days after the product's debut on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo.
HoverAir informed backers that it would only ship the camera component to the US, not the 'Flight Kit' that enables its drone functionality, citing "a few remaining logistics updates." However, industry observers suggest these "logistics" may be a euphemism for regulatory challenges.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) database no longer lists an entry for the HoverAir Versa, indicating the device has not received approval for sale or operation within the United States. The company has not directly confirmed an FCC ban as the sole reason for the stoppage.
This situation highlights the increasing regulatory scrutiny drone technology faces in the US. Companies developing new aerial devices must now navigate complex approval processes to ensure market access.