The HoverAir Versa, a modular device that pairs a small steadycam with snap-on propeller wings to function as a drone, has stopped taking US orders just three days after its crowdfunding debut on Indiegogo. The manufacturer, Chinese company Zero Zero Robotics, is now telling backers it will ship only the camera portion to the US and not the Flight Kit accessory, citing "a few remaining logistics updates." However, the FCC’s database no longer lists the HoverAir Versa at all, which suggests its authorization grant may have been revoked.
This development affects US consumers who hoped the Versa might sidestep the federal drone ban. The FCC’s Covered List automatically includes all companies for drones and critical drone components, and the agency explicitly defines cameras as one of those components. A previous FCC approval on August 9th was granted for the device as a camera, not as a drone, on the argument that Zero Zero Robotics is not on the Covered List for cameras alone. That approval now appears to have been reversed, meaning the camera portion itself may no longer be legal to import, market, or sell in the United States.
Already, the Indiegogo page for US visitors no longer shows the Flight Kit as a selectable option, though the product is still marketed on the page. Backers can still order the camera portion, but at least one US backer reported in the comments that their pledge shows the company cannot ship to their address. When viewed through a VPN set to Canada, combos that include the Flight Kit suddenly become available, but that does not help US-based buyers.
Zero Zero Robotics did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Verge asked the company whether it would commit to faster refunds this time, noting that when the waterproof HoverAir Aqua failed to obtain certification last December, the company spent months telling backers it would ship soon rather than revealing the actual status. An FCC spokesperson again refused to go on the record when asked about the situation.
The halt comes amid a broader US crackdown on Chinese-made drones. The FCC’s drone ban has already affected major manufacturers, and the Versa was seen as a potential loophole by giving a camera wings rather than marketing a traditional drone. That approach appears to have failed, as the FCC’s own rules classify the camera itself as a critical drone component. US gadget fans who backed the Versa now face uncertainty about whether they will receive a working product or a refund, and the company has not offered a clear timeline for resolving the shipping issue.
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