Does giving a camera wings dodge the FCC’s drone ban?
Zero Zero Robotics is attempting to bypass US government bans on foreign-made drones by marketing its new Versa device as a camera accessory rather than a drone. While the FCC has granted initial authorization, the company's strategy faces potential regulatory scrutiny regarding compliance with national security restrictions.
Why it matters
This case highlights the challenges regulators face in enforcing hardware bans as companies innovate to exploit loopholes in product classification.
HoverAir drones always have intriguing gimmicks. This one folds flat to fit in your pocket. This one can land on water. Another can charge inside its carrying case. But the brand’s latest trick might be its riskiest: it’s attempting to sneak a drone past the FCC.
In December 2025, the US government banned future foreign drones from reaching our shores, and HoverAir’s floating Aqua drone was one of the first casualties. But this time, brand owner Zero Zero Robotics might have found a loophole: its latest $750 Versa drone isn’t a drone, it claims, but rather a DJI Pocket-style mini steadycam with optional snap-on propellers that let it fly.
“The Flight Kit is an accessory that extends VERSA’s capabilities. Therefore, HOVERAir is in full compliance with the applicable regulatory requirements for the full product configuration offered to US customers,” global marketing director Anita Facundo tells The Verge.
[Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWNhu7JzLRM]
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