Autel decries military use of drones; doesn’t deny Russian rebranding

Autel Robotics has issued a fresh statement explaining that military use is not the “original intention” of its product design. The development comes on the heels of Autel “lookalike” drones being discovered under the brand name Patriot at the recently concluded St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia.

SPIEF is an annual economic showcase that is often referred to as the “Russian Davos.” Though the event is headlined by Vladimir Putin himself, it has been boycotted by Western countries for a second consecutive year due to the war in Ukraine.

Nonetheless, several drone manufacturers displayed their products at SPIEF 2023. But what was particularly interesting to see was that a drone matching not just the design but also the specifications of the Autel EVO II Pro V3 was showcased under the brand name Patriot K30T on the exhibition floor. Another product displayed under the brand name Patriot looked eerily similar to…