Last week, HoverAir launched the crowdfunding campaign for its new pocket gimbal camera and drone combination, the Versa. Unfortunately for anyone in the U.S., the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has now intervened and effectively banned the product.
The pocket camera that can fly
HoverAir launched the Versa last week, billed as the pocket camera that can fly. The Versa combines a handheld gimbal camera module with an attachable Flight Kit, which turns it into a self-flying drone. At the time of the launch, HoverAir claimed that it had obtained the FCC certification needed to sell the Versa in the U.S. However, that appears to no longer be the case.
What has HoverAir said?
The HoverAir Versa page on the Indiegogo website has been updated for anyone visiting from the U.S. You can now only select Pocket Only or Pocket Combo options as rewards for your pledges. These bundles only include the handheld gimbal camera element and its accessories. However, there’s no option to add the Flight Kit to make it into a drone. In response to comments from concerned customers, HoverAir has replied, “Due to a few remaining logistics updates with the Flight Kit, we’re currently only shipping our Pocket Only and Pocket Combo combos to the US. We’ll keep everyone updated on full availability.”
What has the FCC said?
The FCC has told a number of online tech websites that the certification for the Versa “was granted erroneously and has been set aside by the FCC and removed from our public database.” In addition, it seems that the FCC is banning the gimbal camera on its own, as well as the sale of the Flight Kit. The statement also says, “The device in question is on the FCC’s Covered List: the Versa camera alone is a prohibited UAS critical component produced in a foreign country and, when the Flight Kit is included, the device falls under the ban on UAS produced in a foreign country.”
Further action
The FCC’s statement suggests that even the camera-only options, which HoverAir is offering to U.S. backers, are prohibited. Even worse for HoverAir, the FCC says it is considering taking further action against the company for “apparently willfully violating the FCC’s Covered List rules.” The Covered List names companies the U.S. government considers an unacceptable national security risk. Once a company is on it, the FCC stops authorizing its new equipment for import, marketing or sale.
What next?
The comments section on the HoverAir Versa Indiegogo pages has several posts from U.S.-based backers asking how they get a refund. Unfortunately, at the time of writing that isn’t clear. HoverAir has responded to the questions with variations on a standard paragraph, which states, “For specific questions about order modifications, our support team is happy to help – please reach out directly at support@hoverair.com, and we’ll get back to you individually. Thanks again for your patience and support!”
What we think
It seems that HoverAir thought it had found a loophole in the legislation, which bans foreign drones in the U.S. The company had obtained FCC approval for the camera module. However, HoverAir said that the Flight Kit doesn’t have any RF transmitters. As such, the company claimed that it didn’t require a separate FCC ID or an individual listing in the FCC database. Unfortunately for anyone in the U.S., the FCC clearly does not agree with that interpretation of the law.
The FCC only has jurisdiction in the U.S., so the HoverAir Versa will still be sold everywhere else around the world. However, for U.S. consumers, the government’s ban on foreign drones means they will miss out again. Hopefully, anyone who has already pledged will receive a full refund, but this does highlight the risks with any crowdfunding campaign.
