3/26/2026 | USA | technology | ✓ Verified - theverge.com

DJI’s Avata 360 is a more functional, flexible 360 drone

#DJI #Avata 360 #Antigravity A1 #360-degree drone #FCC ban #US market #drone camera

📌 Key Takeaways

DJI's Avata 360 is a new 360-degree drone similar in design to the Avata 2.
It follows the Antigravity A1, which launched first in December, making DJI a late entrant.
Due to an FCC ban, the Avata 360 will not be officially released in the US, leaving the A1 as the primary option there.
Globally, the Avata 360 offers advantages like higher speed and dual functionality as both a 360 drone and camera.

📖 Full Retelling

The Avata 360 looks a lot like the previous Avata 2. DJI's Avata 360 finds the company at an odd time. For one, it's been beaten to the punch - upstart Antigravity's A1 became the first 360-degree drone when it launched last December, and DJI is playing catchup. But this is also the last DJI drone you may ever be able to legally buy in the US, in the wake of the FCC's de facto ban , and even then it won't actually see an official release in the country. It means that if you're in the US, the Antigravity A1 remains the best (and only) option for a flying 360-degree camera. But in the rest of the world, the Avata 360 makes a good case for itself: it's faster than the A1, doubles as both a 360 dr … Read the full story at The Verge.

🏷️ Themes

Drone Technology, Market Competition, Regulatory Impact

📚 Related People & Topics

DJI

Chinese technology company

SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. or Shenzhen Da-Jiang Innovations Sciences and Technologies Ltd. (Chinese: 深圳市大疆创新科技有限公司; pinyin: Shēnzhèn Shì Dà Jiāng Chuàngxīn Kējì Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī) or DJI (大疆创新; Dà Jiāng Chuàngxīn), is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong.

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DJI

Chinese technology company

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This news matters because it highlights a significant shift in the consumer drone market, with DJI, the industry leader, facing both competitive pressure from a startup and regulatory challenges in the US. It affects drone enthusiasts, content creators, and professionals in the US who may lose access to DJI's latest technology, potentially limiting their creative and commercial options. Globally, it signals increased innovation in 360-degree drone technology, offering new tools for immersive video production, but also underscores the growing impact of geopolitical tensions on consumer electronics availability.

Context & Background

DJI is the world's largest consumer drone manufacturer, dominating the market for years with products like the Phantom and Mavic series.
The Avata line, launched in 2022, is DJI's FPV (First-Person View) drone series focused on immersive flying experiences, with the Avata 2 released earlier in 2024.
The US has imposed restrictions on DJI due to national security concerns, including an FCC ban in 2024 that effectively blocks new DJI drone sales, citing risks of data collection by China.
Antigravity, a startup, launched the A1 in December 2023 as the first consumer 360-degree drone, challenging DJI's innovation lead in this niche.
360-degree drones capture spherical video, enabling immersive content for VR, real estate, and events, a growing segment in aerial photography.

What Happens Next

In the US, consumers will likely turn to alternatives like the Antigravity A1 or other non-DJI drones, while DJI may focus on markets without restrictions, such as Europe and Asia. Antigravity could see increased sales and investment, potentially accelerating competition in the 360-drone space. Regulatory developments may continue, with possible legal challenges or policy changes affecting DJI's US presence, but no immediate resolution is expected. DJI might release software updates or accessories for the Avata 360 to enhance functionality in available regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I buy the DJI Avata 360 in the US?

Due to an FCC ban in 2024 over national security concerns related to data collection, DJI drones are effectively blocked from new sales in the US, making the Avata 360 unavailable there.

How does the Avata 360 compare to the Antigravity A1?

The Avata 360 is faster and offers dual functionality as both a 360 drone and a standard FPV drone, while the A1 was first to market but may have different performance features.

What is a 360-degree drone used for?

It captures spherical video for immersive experiences, useful in virtual reality, real estate tours, event coverage, and creative filmmaking where all-around perspectives are needed.

Will DJI ever sell drones in the US again?

It's uncertain; it depends on regulatory changes or legal outcomes, but currently, the ban limits new DJI products, pushing US consumers to alternatives.

Is the Avata 360 available outside the US?

Yes, it will be released in other global markets where DJI operates without such restrictions, offering enhanced options for 360 drone enthusiasts.

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Original Source

              The Avata 360 looks a lot like the previous Avata 2.	 
 
 DJI's Avata 360 finds the company at an odd time. For one, it's been beaten to the punch - upstart  Antigravity's A1  became the first 360-degree drone when it launched last December, and DJI is playing catchup. But this is also the last DJI drone you may ever be able to legally buy in the US, in the wake of the  FCC's de facto ban , and even then it won't actually see an official release in the country. 
 It means that if you're in the US, the Antigravity A1 remains the best (and only) option for a flying 360-degree camera. But in the rest of the world, the Avata 360 makes a good case for itself: it's faster than the A1, doubles as both a 360 dr … 
  Read the full story at The Verge.
            

Read full article at source

Source

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