According to @ai_darpa, CycloTech's BlackBird has achieved official airborne status, demonstrating validated 360° omnidirectional thrust with its unique CycloRotor technology. Unlike traditional eVTOLs, the 340kg demonstrator uses six CycloRotors, enabling true decoupling of propulsion from airframe attitude. This breakthrough allows for sideways or backward flight without tilting, ensuring unprecedented agility and precision crucial for urban air mobility. The BlackBird reaches a top speed of 120 km/h with zero-latency thrust vectoring, marking a significant advancement in AI-assisted flight control and high-precision navigation. This milestone opens new business opportunities in AI-powered autonomous eVTOL fleet management, urban logistics, and next-generation aerial mobility solutions, as cited by @ai_darpa (source: https://twitter.com/ai_darpa/status/2008214911214932285).

According to @ai_darpa, a new AI-powered drone technology allows drones to perch on high-voltage power lines and recharge mid-flight using real-time inductive charging, eliminating the need to land for recharging (source: @ai_darpa, Dec 24, 2025). This innovation significantly extends the operational range and uptime of autonomous aerial vehicles, offering practical applications for industries such as infrastructure inspection, emergency response, and logistics. By leveraging AI for precise navigation and docking, this solution enhances drone mission efficiency and opens new business opportunities for companies deploying long-duration autonomous fleets.