Last updated: 31/03/26
Drones Aren’t Just Powered; Now They’re Power Washing!
We’re genuinely impressed by Apellix’s innovative use of drones for power washing, and we’re excited to see Drone Clean UK become the exclusive UK distributor, taking this technology to a whole new level. These AI‑powered, tethered cleaning drones deliver high‑pressure or soft‑wash cleaning to large structures, while operators stay safely on the ground. It’s a smart, efficient and safer alternative to traditional methods that rely on scaffolding or working at height.
From Coverdrone’s perspective, this kind of progress is exactly what excites us about the drone industry’s future. Power‑wash drones aren’t just an impressive feat of engineering; they’re a perfect example of how drone technology is solving real‑world challenges with precision and safety.
- Read the full article at UASweekly.com: Apellix Names Drone Clean UK Exclusive UK Distributor for Power-Wash Cleaning Drones
Opening the Skies with the UK’s First Droneport
The UK’s Open Skies Network is teaming up with ASONE Park to build the first Droneport in the UK, which will be home to an AAM test‑flight hub at St Merryn Aerodrome in Cornwall. The plan is to create a space where drones, eVTOLs and other next‑gen aircraft can be tested and developed alongside traditional aviation, supporting everything from medical deliveries to search and rescue and environmental monitoring. BVLOS capability is already underway, with the team working closely with the CAA to connect the site into a wider network.
This is the kind of progress that moves the drone industry forward. As operators start trialling new aircraft and more complex missions in dedicated test environments, having the right insurance in place becomes even more important. We’re here to support pilots as they explore BVLOS operations, experiment with emerging tech and bring new services to life.
- Read the full article at Unmanned Airspace: UK Open Skies Network to create UK’s first Droneport, AAM test-flight hub
Hungarian Agricultural Drones Set to Innovate
Hungary’s ABZ Innovation is quickly becoming one to watch. After securing $8.2 million in new funding, the team is building a larger manufacturing plant to ramp up production to around 2,000 heavy‑duty drones a year, an impressive move in a market long dominated by Chinese brands like DJI and XAG. With customers in 28 countries and demand still outpacing supply, ABZ is positioning itself as a serious European alternative for agricultural and industrial operators.
For Coverdrone, it’s great to see more choice and innovation entering the drone space. As pilots adopt emerging European‑made platforms alongside established brands, the need for dependable, flexible insurance only grows. Whether operators are spraying crops, mapping land, or tackling industrial tasks, we’re here to help them fly confidently as the market continues to evolve.
- Read the full article at DRONELIFE: Hungary’s ABZ Innovation Challenges Farm Drone Giants
Using Drones to Improve Healthcare Logistics in Ireland
Ireland’s latest drone delivery tests, led by Rotunda Hospital in partnership with Manna Air Delivery, showcase how high‑speed, zero‑emission drones could transform the movement of urgent medical supplies between hospitals. The trial, touted as a simulation in the ThinkBusiness article linked to below, requires the rapid aerial delivery of blood and pathology samples from Rotunda to Connolly Hospital.
This use of drones demonstrates how transport times can be reduced from hours to minutes, enabling faster diagnostics and emergency care. It’s a powerful example of how drones can improve public services and patient outcomes.
- Read the full article at ThinkBusiness: Ireland tests medical drone deliveries to speed up hospital logistics
Drone Innovation Accelerates Critical Infrastructure in the Western Isles
A new UK‑first deployment of heavy‑lift drone technology has significantly accelerated the construction of the 58 km overhead power line between Harris and Stornoway. Using a DJI FlyCart 30 equipped with advanced systems from Aureos Energy, drone operators were able to install high‑capacity pilot ropes in a single flight, cutting installation time from days to hours, reducing reliance on ground vehicles, and minimising disruption to fragile peatland habitats.
- Read the full article at Project Scotland: Drone technology accelerates delivery of Western Isles project in ‘UK first’
Drones Helping Keep Britain’s Railways Moving
Network Rail is expanding the use of drones to improve safety, speed up incident assessments and reduce disruption across the East Midlands. Drone deployments have saved around £100,000 since September 2025 by cutting inspection times and avoiding line blocks, while trained operators use drones to quickly assess lineside fires, trespass incidents and flooding without putting staff at risk.
- Read the full article at National Rail: Drones delivering range of benefits and keeping trains moving
Empowering Humanitarian Aid Across Africa Through Advanced Air Mobility
Africa is becoming a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to support humanitarian operations, with drones delivering lifesaving medical supplies, food, and other emergency supplies across remote regions. Pioneers like Zipline have transformed access to healthcare by enabling fast, reliable delivery of blood products, vaccines and medicines, helping save lives and strengthening national health systems.
This growing adoption of drone technology underscores the vital role it can play in enabling these missions. As governments and NGOs expand their use of drones for humanitarian response, their capacity to deliver critical aid where it’s needed most increases, allowing them to extend their reach.
- Read the full article at Aerospace Global News: Aid with altitude: How Africa is leading the charge in Advanced Air Mobility for good
Supporting Smarter Community Protection Through Drone Technology
We’re always encouraged to see drone technology being used to support safer, cleaner communities, and the BBC article we’ve linked to below is a great example of just that. Bradford Council’s new initiative to deploy drones to identify hard‑to‑reach fly‑tipping sites demonstrates how drones can unlock insights that traditional methods can’t. By accessing remote fields, hidden garden areas and other inaccessible locations, drones are helping local authorities strengthen enforcement and tackle illegal waste disposal more effectively.
For councils, police forces and commercial operators alike, drones offer a fast, safe and efficient way to gather accurate situational awareness. As more public bodies adopt drones to improve operations, we remain committed to providing specialist insurance and in‑house claims support that keeps drone teams protected and ready to fly with confidence.
- Read the full article at the BBC: Drone camera to be used to spot fly-tippers
Global Drone Services Market Continues Strong Upward Trajectory
New research shared by Yahoo Finance shows the global drone services market is set to grow sharply, from $20.92 billion (USD) in 2026 to $142.22 billion (USD) by 2035, driven by expanding demand in agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, power inspection, and environmental monitoring.
It’s not surprising that predictions like this are being made, as drones become essential tools for faster, safer, and more efficient operations, adoption is accelerating across multiple sectors.
For Coverdrone, this rapid growth highlights the increasing importance of tailored insurance solutions that help operators scale safely and confidently. As drone applications expand, we remain committed to supporting operators and businesses with comprehensive protection in an evolving and fast‑developing global market.
- Read the full article at Yahoo Finance: Drone Services Market Reach USD 142.22 Billion by 2035 Amid Rising Demand in Agriculture, Logistics, and Infrastructure
Manna and Uber Partner to Accelerate Drone Delivery in Europe via Ireland
Manna’s new partnership with Uber marks a major milestone for commercial drone delivery in Europe, with Uber Eats set to launch its first European drone‑enabled service using Manna’s proven drone-powered logistics service. Starting in Ireland, where Manna has already completed more than 250,000 drone deliveries, the collaboration will integrate Manna’s autonomous delivery system with Uber’s global platform, enabling expansion into additional European cities.
Developments like this highlight the rapid evolution and scaling of real‑world drone operations. Manna’s track record of safe, reliable deliveries demonstrates how drone logistics can ease congestion, reduce emissions, and make last‑mile deliveries (the final stage of the logistics process when the delivery reaches your door) more efficient.
- Read the full article at The Irish Times: Drone delivery company Manna signs partnership with Uber
Everdrone’s E3: Advancing Fast, Life‑Saving Drone Response
Everdrone’s new E3 emergency medical drone delivers a major upgrade in performance, doubling payload capacity to 4.5 kg and supporting a wider range of life‑saving equipment. Built entirely in‑house, their E3 drones feature improved speed, autonomous operation and a vibration‑free cruising capability exceeding 80 km/h.
Most importantly, the E3 can reach emergency scenes in under 3 minutes, significantly reducing response times compared to traditional ambulances. Innovations like the E3 truly push the boundaries of what drones can achieve in critical medical scenarios.
- Read the full article at DRONELIFE: Everdrone Launches E3 Emergency Medical Drone with Expanded Payload
Drones Strengthen Forest Management Through New Research Initiative
Sompo Japan plans to launch a drone‑based forest inventory service in partnership with Hitachi Systems, aiming to address labour shortages and high management costs by using drones and AI to collect and analyse data across Japan’s vast, often inaccessible forested areas. The service will map tree species, height, population density, and other key metrics, with the companies expecting to secure over 10 orders by next year, reflecting the rapidly expanding role of drones in environmental monitoring and land‑management operations.
- Read the full article at Nation Thailand: Sompo Japan to launch drone-based forest research
Quantum Computing Points to Smarter Drone Delivery
New research shows how quantum computing can help address the complexities of drone delivery schedules and packing problems. The approach utilises neutral‑atom quantum processors in methods that have already been demonstrated on hardware with up to 100 atoms, signalling real potential for more efficient, scalable drone networks.
Advancements like these demonstrate how quickly drone operations are evolving. Moving into the realms of quantum computing isn’t just science fiction anymore; it could soon have real-world implications, allowing drone route planning to become smarter and more automated.
- Read the full article at Quantum Zeitgeist: Quantum Computers Tackle Complex Drone Delivery Schedules
Drones Strengthen the Fight Against Waste Crime
The Environment Agency’s new “drone squad” highlights how essential drones have become in tackling large‑scale illegal waste dumping. With advanced laser‑mapping technology and dedicated pilots, drones are enabling faster, safer and more accurate monitoring of dangerous sites across the UK.
At Coverdrone, we fully support this use of drone technology. From mapping vast illegal waste mounds to gathering critical evidence for enforcement teams, drones play a vital role in protecting communities and the environment.
- Read the full article at the BBC: Drones to gather evidence at illegal waste dumps
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