3D Robotics’ drone ambitions take off | Financial Times, September 26, 2013
►http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/36a771d4-26d0-11e3-9dc0-00144feab7de.html #paywall
3D Robotics, a pioneer in selling low-cost drones to technology enthusiasts, has raised $30m in new funding as it scales up to focus on commercial applications for its unmanned flying vehicles.
The deal, led by Foundry Group and True Ventures, is believed to be the largest venture-capital investment yet in a civilian drone company, after Airware raised $10.7m from Google Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz this year.
While the multibillion-dollar drone market has been confined largely to military applications, several start-ups in #Silicon_Valley and beyond have begun to prepare for new rules allowing unmanned vehicles to fly in US airspace, expected in 2015.
Farmers are already allowed to use drones on their own land to survey crops, he said, but wider use will have to wait until the Federal Aviation Authority grants permits.
He said these could include search and rescue, delivery in urban areas, and as cameras for filming movies and sports.