Zero Zero Robotics has halted US sales of its HoverAir Versa drone following reports that the FCC revoked the device's authorization due to federal drone import restrictions.

Key Points

• The HoverAir Versa, a modular camera that transforms into a drone, stopped accepting US orders three days after its Indiegogo launch.
• The FCC appears to have removed the device from its authorization database, effectively blocking the import and sale of both the camera and flight components.
• Zero Zero Robotics previously attempted to classify the device as a camera to bypass the FCC’s "Covered List" restrictions on Chinese drone manufacturers.
• Indiegogo backers in the United States are reporting that the company is no longer fulfilling orders for the device to their addresses.
• The FCC defines drone cameras as critical components, subjecting them to the same strict regulatory oversight as the drones themselves.

Why it Matters

This regulatory action highlights the FCC's aggressive stance on enforcing drone import bans against Chinese manufacturers attempting to bypass rules through modular hardware designs. The situation creates significant uncertainty for crowdfunding backers and underscores the growing difficulty for international tech companies to navigate US federal telecommunications compliance.